OH NO, NOT AGAIN! Storm brewing over millions spent during Paralympic Games in Rio

Samwel Mushai Kimani of Kenya leads the pack on his way to winning the gold medal in the event.

Barely a day after this year’s Paralympic Games ended in Rio, Brazil, questions abound over how funds meant for Team Kenya were used.

The Government, through the Ministry of Sports, gave the team Sh132 million. Others who contributed to the team’s kitty were mobile service providers Safaricom who gave Sh5 million with an additional Sh900,000 as airtime. Mayfair Holdings contributed Sh3.5 million.

Some of the leaders who travelled to Rio with Team Kenya have expressed dissatisfaction with the way the millions were utilised during the games. Led by National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) Chairman David ole Sankok, the officials said there was massive wasting of funds and have called for an audit once the team return home.

Sankok said more than 14 officials from the Kenya National Paralympics Committee (KNPC) accompanied the nine athletes who represented Kenya in Rio.

He also took issue with Sports ministry officials who travelled to Rio, saying none of them was disabled.

“Paralympics is a sport meant for the disabled, but it was sad to see able-bodied officials travel to Rio. Does that mean people with disabilities are useless and cannot represent themselves?” asked Sankok.

He also said the officials received allowances meant for three weeks even though they were in Rio for less than five days.

“Even after receiving their hefty allowances, the officials still used Government money to pay for their food and accommodation,” Sankok said.

He added that some people who travelled to Rio for specific jobs failed to execute what was required of them, singling out the media liaison for a job not done.

“The person in charge (of media reports) failed to execute her duties as expected. How can one travel without a pen, notebook or a camera? The official did not send even one press release to the media back home.

“I spent time shuttling between my hotel and the Paralympics Village looking for video clips and specific photos. I was doing work that was not mine,” said Sankok.

KNPC chairperson Agnes Oluoch refused to comment on the matter when contacted.