The new Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and The Arts, Ababu Namwamba has issued a warning to all agents both foreign and local involved in the syndicate of providing sportsmen and women with harmful drugs to stop forthwith.
Namwamba said the Ministry will work in unison with relevant agencies to stop the syndicate which has led to Kenyan sportsmen and women to be banned from taking part in international races.
“We will be working together with the Anti-Doping Agency Kenya (ADAK), Athletics Integrating Unit, World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) and all stakeholders to make it extremely expensive to dope by elevating banned substances to attract similar fines as hard drugs,” said Namwamba.
The CS was speaking on Friday during the handing over ceremony at the Kenya National Library Services in Nairobi, where he assumed office from the outgoing CS for Sports, Culture and Heritage Amina Mohamed.
Namwamba said the Ministry will engage with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to resolve the issues surrounding football management in the country.
“We will engage FKF to resolve the issues surrounding football management to make football a fan space where our young people can earn decent incomes,” he stated.
Namwamba stressed that the country’s artists and sports persons are Kenya’s extraordinary ambassadors who serve this country with diligence and dedication hence must be awarded their due royalties accordingly.
“We want to turn sports and arts into the mega industry that provides employment to the youth and empower economic revival in the country,” said Namwamba.
Namwamba thanked outgoing CS for facilitating a seamless transition and for her achievements in the Ministry singling out her success in returning Safari Rally back to the World Rally Championship.
“We must move the Safari Rally back to people, from Naivasha to Kwale and from Kwale to Migori as it is a powerful branding platform for this country,” said Namwamba.
Welcoming the incoming CS, Amb. Amina thanked the stakeholders in the Ministry for their dedication and selflessness that has seen the Ministry improve sports status and uphold culture and heritage at local, regional and global platforms.
She congratulated Namwamba for his appointment and wished him well as he takes over the reigns at the Ministry.
During the ceremony, Amb. Amina handed over various reports to the incoming CS which included the general report, the Football Kenya Federation transition report, the World Rally Championships Safari Rally report, the Magical Kenya (Golf) report, the Cricket Kenya report and the status and progress report of the Kenya Cultural Center.
Other reports are the Regulation and Proposed Areas of Amendment developed by task force and protection of traditional knowledge, the Report and Proceedings of the Kenya High Level Forum on Access and Benefits, and the Report and Proceedings of the Kenya Cultural Center.
By Rita Muthoni
