As questions keep rising on the integrity of the Football Kenya Federation amid financial audits taking place, the government through the ministry of Sports has set aside Ksh 750 million for the construction of at least 10 academies for sports at the constituency level.
The Sports Ministry plans to have the facilities, aimed at improving sporting activities in the country, ready for use by June next year. Kenya Academy for Sports has since visited 17 constituencies to conduct a feasibility study in readiness for the project.
The study was conducted in Igembe Central, Lagdera, Mwingi West, Voi, Mavoko, Narok North, Lurambi, Webuye, Luanda, Marakwet West and Isiolo South constituencies. Other constituencies under consideration for the ambitious project are Ainamoi, Tinderet, Alego Usonga, Kieni, Ndaragwa and Nyaribari Chache. Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disclosed that Kisii academy to be constructed at Nyaribari Chache was directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
CS Mohamed shared the details when he appeared before the National Assembly’s Sports, Culture and Tourism Committee yesterday. She seized the session to dismiss claims of malice and political witch-hunt in her decision to order for audit at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
She told MPs that the decision was purely informed by the need to improve sporting activities in the country. FKF President Nick Mwendwa is currently in the eye of a raging storm following the decision to conduct a thorough audit in running the federation. Further, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has also launched a probe into the alleged misappropriation of funds running into millions of shillings. At least Ksh244.59 million meant for preparations of the Harambee Stars during 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is alleged to have been misappropriated under the watch of the beleaguered FKF boss.
The CS said a similar audit was conducted at the Cricket Federation as she sought to dismiss claims that the exercise was targeted at Mwendwa. “What has driven us to do what we are doing now is actually the stakeholders that have major interests in the sports. That is why I invoke my powers to order for an audit. No external forces will interfere with the process," said Amina. "The first federation that we started dealing with was cricket. We are now having an audit of FKF. If there are issues, we will address them together with other stakeholders. The federations have to do what they need to do in developing talents."
The CS said the ministry was further reviewing the Sports Act. The remarks were in response to concerns by the committee chairman Patrick Makau (Mavoko), who questioned an alleged politicization of the federation. “Is there politicization of the federation? Is the same axe falling on all the federations or are we only singling out some? That is what we want to know as a committee,” said Makau.
The CS said the audit is a transparent process and is anchored in law. Amina had on October 14 directed Sports Registrar Rose Wasike to investigate operations of the federation. At the same time, the CS disclosed that the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund has collected revenue amounting to Ksh30.3 billion since its inception in 2018. "For the first quarter of the current financial year of 2020/2021, the fund has collected Sh5.3 billion against a projection of Sh12.5 billion. The total collection as of October 1, 2021 was Sh30.3 billion," said Amina.
The ministry further disclosed the amount of money spent in the construction of Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu. The facility that hosted the June 1 Jamhuri celebration was constructed at a cost of Ksh 415 million. Wanguru Stadium in Kirinyaga that hosted Mashuja Day celebration cost a total of Ksh 310 million while Posta Jamhuri Ground in Nairobi has gobbled Ksh609 million and is at 98.4 percent complete. Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu, which is at 80 percent complete, has taken up Ksh 597 million.