Athletes Have Told Me Horror Stories But CS Isn't Bothered, Gladys Shollei Slams Ababu Namwamba

• Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei emphasised the need for accountability from Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba
• Shollei criticised the contrast between Kenyan athletes' harsh conditions abroad and the lavish lifestyle of the CS and his delegation
• She revealed hosting athletes returning from events due to the CS's lack of concern, highlighting athletes' shared stories of untold suffering

Nairobi - Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba is a man under siege.

The CS has been criticised by various leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza Alliance for underperforming.

In a statement on Monday, August 21, Nandi senator Samson Cherargei said Namwamba needed to be held responsible for allegedly mismanaging the sports docket.

Cherargei said the flamboyant Sports CS needs to be summoned by the National Assembly to explain claims that the ministry was mishandling athletes.

The outspoken senator alleged that senior Sports ministry officials had travelled with "girlfriends" to the ongoing World Championship in Budapest at the expense of the nation's top sports representatives.

Why Shollei agrees with Cherargei

During an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, August 22, Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei echoed the calls to have Namwamba held to account.

Shollei said it's despicable to see Kenyan athletes endure tough conditions while out despite the CS and his entourage living large.

She claimed she'd housed some of the athletes when they returned from events, adding that they have horror stories from their experience while representing Kenya.

"This is something I feel very strongly about, and coming from Uasin Gishu, where most of the athletes come from, is very painful. Every time they've landed, I have hosted them (athletes) because the CS is not bothered. They have told me some of the horror stories of what happens to them; they fly economy while ministry officials fly business class, and sometimes they have layovers of 14 hours, and even seeing the management of sports is pain.

If you look at the Talanta Hela app, it doesn't exist, they told us it was launched. The other day when our team went to Tunisia, they were wearing fake uniforms; knock-offs from River Road. There is something wrong with the management of sports," she said.

Kimani Ichung'wah warns CS Namwamba

In a related development, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah warned Namwamba and other CSs who didn't meet their expectations.

On Thursday, August 17, Ichung'wah took to the floor of the House to apologise to Kenyan sportsmen and women for the inadequacies they experienced in their interactions with the sports ministry officials.

"Ababu Namwamba should tell Kenyans why he lacks the time to attend to the people who are representing our country and are good ambassadors of our country. Because this is his biggest responsibility," Ichung'wah said.