Govt to probe Sh18m AK scam

The government will investigate reports that Athletics Kenya duped the Ministry of Sports into releasing money for the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, Korea.

The Principal Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts, Richard Ekai, told the Daily Nation that he said that they were aware of the newspaper’s expose on Monday that AK received Sh18 million from the government for the national team’s participation in the athletics competition in the Asian country.

According to the story, that was despite all expenses having been paid by the competition’s Local Organising Committee (LOC).

In the correspondence seen by the Daily Nation, AK officials did not mention to the government the funding from the athletics global governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). 

“Whether true or false, the allegations must be investigated and the accounts cross-checked to see whether AK got money from the government inappropriately,” said Ekai. “Action will be taken if AK is found guilty.”

The senior government official spoke when he launched the board of trustees for the National Sports Fund on behalf of Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and the Arts Hassan Wario at the ministry’s headquarters at Kencom House, Nairobi, on Tuesday.

A letter from the IAAF dated August 25, 2010 indicated that the LOC would cater for the transport and accommodation of all athletes taking part in the championships.

“All athletes competing in the IAAF World Championships for member federations which are in good standing with the IAAF will benefit from economy class travel and full-board accommodation in the Athletes Village (apartment style — single, twin and triple rooms) paid for by the LOC for a maximum of 13 nights during the period from 23 August (arrival) until 5 September (departure),” the IAAF letter stated.

“The Organising Committee of the World Championships in Athletics is financially responsible for the economy class travel of all competing athletes from their home country to the Championships and back.

“If the Organising Committee agrees, the IAAF will make all the travel arrangements for teams and the First Congress Delegate.”

AK officials had initially demanded Sh54 million from the government, ostensibly to meet the cost of taking the contingent to Seoul, and even threatened to boycott the championships if that was not done.

However, a statement from AK stated that all the cash from the government was used to subsidise payments for air tickets that the organisers did not provide.

Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch said the government will henceforth countercheck budgets submitted to it by federations.

“We shall ensure that requests made are genuine and funds disbursed are used for the right purpose,” said Oluoch.

The 14-man National Sports Fund Board of Trustees, which is chaired by Sam Kairu Njonde, will serve for three years and will only draw sitting allowances.

Agnes Mandu from Sports Fund is the secretary to the board.

The board members are Francis Okwara (Kenya Golf Union), Frida Shiroya (National Olympic Committee of Kenya), Nderitu Gikaria (Kenya National Sports Council), Catherine Ndereba (athletics), Gupreet Singh Dhanjal (shooting) and Adan Omar Enow.

Also on the board are Ekai, Principal Secretary of Finance Henry Rotich, Attorney-General Githu Muigai, Sports Kenya director-general Maina Kamau, Kenya Academy for Sports chief executive officer Steven Karenga and Sports Disputes Tribunal secretary Kimani Nyokabi.

INJECT SH500MN IN SPORTS ANNUALLY

While the National Sports Lottery Fund is anticipated to inject Sh500 million in the sports budget annually, Ekai said the board will raise funds through sports lotteries, investment and any other means and disburse the proceeds for the development of sports and recreation in the country.

He added that it will also facilitate the existing sports federations to achieve their strategic plans with the aim of drawing more people to take part in their particular activities.

“It will invest in specialised training for selected sports disciplines to improve on specific areas that are medal potential in international competitions,” said Ekai.

“They will also encourage sports federations to develop sports programmes for children under 14 years as well as facilitate more teams to participate in international competitions.”

The board will also facilitate development of outdoor and indoor facilities of international standards.