Following his appointment as the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Ababu Namwamba settled down quickly to his office and started working.
Below are some changes that the immediate former Chief Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instituted.
Return of FKF Secretariat
Kenya’s new Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Ababu Namwamba, reinstated the Football Kenya Federation on November 3, without President Nick Mwendwa.
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The then Cabinet Secretary, Amina Mohamed, had disbanded the Nick Mwendwa-led FKF national executive committee and established a caretaker committee.
This, however, resulted in FIFA slapping Kenya with a suspension over what it called interference from the government on FKF.
Control of the Doping Crisis
Kenya escaped the athletics ban following the rise in cases relating to the use of prohibited substances.
This was after a World Athletics Committee council meeting on Wednesday, November 30.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe lauded the Kenyan government for the measures being taken to address the doping situation in the country.
Ababu Namwamba revealed that he had sent a letter to Coe showing the government's commitment to tackle the vice.
Namwamba further committed to providing an additional Ksh3 billion ($25 million) for the next five years to strengthen the country's anti-doping programs.
However, it was noted that Kenya will remain a Category A federation under the World Athletics anti-doping rules.
Bidding to Host AFCON
The Cabinet approved the proposal to have Kenya host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
During the weekly meeting on Tuesday, December 6, it was agreed that Kenya would partner with other East African nations to host the continental tournament.
The decision was communicated through a State House despatch after President William Ruto chaired the morning session.
This move is in the government's bid to revive the prospects of Kenyan football, with the Cabinet sanctioning the revival of soccer in the country.
Facilitating Wanyama's Return to Harambee Stars
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Mugubi Wanyama agreed to opt out of retirement and play for Harambee Stars once again after a meeting with Namwamba.
While announcing on Thursday, December 8, Namwamba revealed that the former CF Montreal midfielder had agreed to return for national duty after discussions.
“Am delighted Victor Wanyama has agreed to return fully to Harambee Stars, rescinding his earlier decision to exit the team," Namwamba indicated in a statement.
According to Namwamba, his ministry's mission to rebuild football and raise the bar for the national team depended on star players like Wanyama.
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