London Olympics cost Kenyans Sh231.6m

By FeverPitch Team

Team Kenya had a contingent of 94 sportspersons and officials during the 2012 Olympic Games, which cost the tax payer Sh231,635,378.26.

According to the report released by the Management Committee to the Games, Finance Officer Samson Olala has decried inadequate provision for international competition expenditure “which forced the accounting officer to reallocate funds to meet the expenses for the Olympics which started in the first week of the ensuing fiscal year.”

He has also decried “very high prices of accommodation and communication in London during the Games period due to high demand of the same facilities.”

“The prices of most goods and services were almost doubled to cash in on the demand and increase profit levels,” he said.

Overseas allowances for athletes and officials cost Sh101,567,541.80; Air tickets (economy) Sh16,881,800; (business) Sh7,512,960; Transport (train/buses/taxis) Sh410,896.85; Professional services (media/counselling/physio) Sh9,890,250); Accommodation in Bristol University and hotels Sh12,305,943.11; Cash awards to medallists, finalists and officials Sh15,520,000; Preparations and qualification for teams Sh52,483,080; Retreat in Naivasha for post mortem Sh3,834,000.

Others costs included  the welcoming party for athletes and officials Sh2,445,000; Medical equipment Sh2,555,406.56; Medicine Sh2,245,212.94; Hospitality Sh1,394,500.90; Travel insurance Sh1,090,375; Telephone Sh733,248; Air tickets/train refunds Sh455,766.65; Gate charges for signatories (Olympic stadium) Sh267,000; Excess baggage Sh3,337.50; Miscellaneous (travel bags, wrapping items, DHL parcel, stationery, rate card services) Sh391,359.81.

Financial support

According to National Olympic Committee of Kenya  Treasurer (NOC-K), Fridah Shiroya, Team Kenya received financial support from the National Social Security Fund (Sh35 million), Proctor and Gamble (Sh5 million) and Kenya Charity Sweepstake (Sh10 million).

The Sh50 million, says Ms Shiroya, was mainly used for supporting the teams in training, qualification, exposure and allowances before and during the Games.

NOC-K also spent up to Sh70,389,338 from the kitty on the games on varied items like postage, accreditation, visas (Sh207,000), secretarial services (Sh11,900), training and competition (Sh5,373,734), ceremonial and travelling uniforms (Sh2,0056,300), lapel pins, ties and badges (Sh3,167,163), grants to associations (Sh10,256,007), air tickets for qualification competitions (Sh5,433,670), accommodation and allowances (Sh21,512,658), games handbook (Sh770,000), medical (Sh325,800), residential camp accommodation and meals (Sh7,131,465), local allowances (Sh11,744,241) and fund raising initiatives (Sh3m).

Team Kenya had 51 competitors, four team mangers, eight coaches, six medical staff, six ministers/MPs (Dr Paul Otuoma, Kabando wa Kabando, Joseph Magwanga, Alfred Khangati, Charles Keter and Joseph Nkaissery).

The steering committee consisted of 19 officials under the leadership of then Permanent Secretary for Sports, James Waweru, NOC-K Chairman Dr Kipchoge Keino, Secretary for Sports, Prof Wilson Langat, Commissioner for Sports Gordon Oluoch, among others.