Hassan Wario grilled over Rio Olympics debacle

Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario (left) at Uasin Gishu County headquarters in Eldoret on July 12, 2016. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |

What you need to know:

  • Wario presented himself at the agency's offices on Kiambu Road at 8am and left a few minutes before noon.
  • Officers said the CS was also grilled by detectives seeking to unveil the truth behind the mishaps that placed Kenya in the limelight for the wrong reasons both locally and internationally during the just concluded Olympics.
  • Wario was accompanied by officials from the Sports ministry.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario on Wednesday morning recorded a statement at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters in connection with the crisis that befell Team Kenya at the Rio Olympics.

Wario, accompanied by officials from the Sports ministry, presented himself at the agency's offices on Kiambu Road at 8am and left a few minutes before noon.

Officers, who cannot be named as they are not authorised to speak to the press, said the minister was also grilled by detectives investigating the management blunders that placed Kenya in the limelight for the wrong reasons locally and internationally during the just concluded Olympics.

Wario had accompanied the team to Brazil and flew back into the country on Saturday last week.

He had earlier told the Sunday Nation that he was also a victim of the scandal involving National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) officials, whom he said are squarely to blame for the debacle.

During the interview, Wario claimed that NOCK officials had been living large in Rio at the expense of the athletes and coaches.

NOCK INCOMPETENCE

The incompetence at NOCK emerged even before the Kenyan team left for Brazil, with some athletes, including world javelin champion Julius Yego, who won silver in Rio on Saturday, facing a hitch in his travel arrangements.

Some of the 52 athletes have also complained that some officials sold kits donated by sportswear manufacturer Nike and were meant for their training.

Earlier, Britain's Sunday Times newspaper had published an expose implicating athletics team manager Michael Rotich in bribery claims.

Rotich was recalled from Rio as a result before sprints coach John Anzrah was also ejected from the Olympic Village and flown home under unclear circumstances.

Sources at the DCI indicate that several other people are scheduled to be interrogated in connection with the mishaps.

Kenya bagged 13 medals in Rio: six gold, an equal number of silver and a bronze.

High-ranking government officials, including President Uhuru Kenyatta, have roundly condemned the blundering officials, promising stern action.