Prosecute culprits of Rio Olympics fiasco

Kenya's Jemima Jelagat Sumgong celebrates winning the women's marathon during the Summer Olympics athletics event PHOTO: STANDARD

Shortly before the August 2016 Brazil Olympics, the Kenyan team raised pertinent issues. It emerged all had not been well within the high altitude training camp in Eldoret.

There was concern that athletes had been neglected by their leaders. The players had not received their allowances. Worse, they were compelled to train without requisite training kits.

That was not all because athlete Julius Yego was reportedly not booked on the flight to Brazil with the rest of the team. Some of the team’s officials like Catherine Ndereba could not find accommodation in the Olympic village.

This spoke of negligence by the National Olympic Committee and the ministry of sports headed by Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario. While sponsors had despatched training kits in good time, unscrupulous individuals diverted them for their individual use.

While athletes were forced train using old track uniforms and shoes, it later emerged some officials had given the tracksuits to friends. It was not necessary for the whole steering committee to travel to Brazil. This could have saved millions of shillings.

The team of investigators appointed by Wario to probe the Kenyan team’s fiasco, even as fingers point at him, has made some progress.

Early this month, uniforms, kits and shoes that should have been given to players were found in the house of the deputy chairman of the disbanded NOCK, Ben Ekumbo. At least five officials involved in the teams preparations; Stephen Soi, Pius Ochieng, Francis Paul and Fridah Shiroya have been charged in court.

While that gives hope something is being done, more effort is needed to ensure all those who were part of the discredited team of officials are brought to book. Kudos to Kenyan athletes. Despite their tribulations, they brought home 6 gold, 6 bronze and 1 silver medal. With support, they can do even better.