CS Amina: Time ripe to address sports injustices

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed Sunday said that it is time to take the bull by the horns and address deep-rooted injustices that have dogged the sector for long.

The CS said that the ministry took the bold step of tackling the issues affecting Kenyan sportsmen and women to find long-lasting solutions.

She said that it will take the collective effort of stakeholders and the society as a whole to succeed in the mission. She said that the key stakeholders include athletes, coaches, the Judiciary, investigative agencies and law enforcers among others.

She spoke on Sunday at a press briefing on the eve of a three-day conference, whose theme is “Levelling the Playing Field: Gender Inclusivity”, which will be held at Diani Reef Hotel in Kwale County.

The CS was flanked by Sports Principal Secretary Joe Okudo, Sports Chief Administrative Secretary Zacharia Kinuthia and legendary athlete Catherine Ndereba, who is also the chairperson the Gender Taskforce.

Ndereba said that it has been a long journey to put together a document that captures the athletes’ and other stakeholders’ views.

The CS, who will also launch a report compiled by the taskforce, said that the conference was named in honour of the 2015 World Cross Country Championships winner Agnes Tirop who was found murdered in her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County on October 13 last year.

Her estranged lover Ibrahim Rotich is in police custody after denying murder charges in court.

At the same time, the CS reiterated that the government will not fund federations that lack gender balance in their management teams.

She also said that they are working to ensure that national teams are balanced and athletes are picked on merit.