After drama surrounding Kenya's 100m sprinter Ferdinand Omanayala's Visa, Athletics Kenya (AK) clarified the circumstances that led to his late departure for the World Championships in Oregon.
In a statement dated Monday, July 18, FKF Transition Committee Head of Secretariat, Linda Ogutu, posted a letter said to have originated from Athletics Kenya.
However, on Tuesday, July 19, Athletics Kenya flagged her post as fake, eliciting mixed reactions from Kenyans.
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The former journalist poked fun at the critics who trolled her, with the official Athletics Kenya letter having some minor differences from hers. The differences were in wording and the signature.
In Ogutu's letter, it claimed that Athletics Kenya had not engaged the Ministry of Sports during the athlete's initial visa application.
Her letter noted that Omanyala had applied for his visa together with the rest of the athletes, who received their visas two days later save for the sprinter. However, the letter from Athletics Kenya noted that the athletes received their visas after a day.
Part of the official Athletics Kenya letter.
“Thereafter, Athletics Kenya engaged an external expert firm to process the visa applications for the traveling delegation to ensure a smooth process without challenges.
“It is important to mention that Ferdinand Omanyala went for Visa Biometrics at the Embassy of the United States in Nairobi on 7th July 2022, alongside other athletes. The rest were issued with their visas a day later while Omanyala's passport was not released. When we enquired why, we were informed that he needed to fill in an additional form referred to as supplementary questions for visa applicants, to verify some facts,” the official athletic Kenya letter read.
Part of Linda Ogutu's flagged letter:
“Thereafter, Athletics Kenya engaged an external expert firm to process the visa applications for the traveling delegation to ensure a smooth process without challenges. Athletics Kenya did not engage the Ministry during this initial visa application (difference).
“It is important to mention that Ferdinand Omanyala went for Visa Biometrics at the Embassy of the United States in Nairobi on 7th July 2022, alongside other athletes. The rest were issued with their visas 2 days later while Omanyala's passport was not released (difference). When we enquired why, we were informed that he needed to fill in an additional form referred to as supplementary questions for visa applicants, to verify some facts,” Ogutu's flagged letter read.
The former KTN News anchor, later on, posted an update on the return of the Kenya Premier League noting that she will follow the advice of sticking to matters football.
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