All eyes are on Namwamba as the new Sports CS begins the journey to restore broken Kenyan sports

Ababu Namwamba takes oath of office as Youth Affairs ,Sports & The Arts Cabinet Secretary at State House in Nairobi on October 27,2022. [Denish Ochieng, Standard], Standard]

After weeks of hopes and promises, Kenyans will be watching closely Ababu Namwamba's first order of business after he was sworn in as the new Sports and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary on Thursday.

Namwamba is set to take over from the outgoing CS Amina Mohamed on Friday.

While this will not be the first time Namwamba will be in charge of Sports, Kenyans are optimistic that he will fix the many problems afflicting Kenyan sports.

The former Budalangi MP makes a return to the sports docket having briefly served in the same capacity between 2012 and 2013.

From football, volleyball, rugby, cricket, athletics, chess and many more, many will keenly be watching how he deals with the crisis in the country.

However, Namwamba's first big headache will be how he plans to tackle the challenges facing the two most popular sports in the country; athletics and football.

In football, Namwamba is highly likely to be questioned on the current big challenge facing Kenyan football, the FIFA ban.

Kenya has been under Fifa suspension since February after outgoing CS Amina Mohamed disbanded the Football Kenya Federation in November last year.

The other hurdle in football is the financial challenges currently crippling not only local clubs but also national teams.

Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS), Amina Mohamed looks on after the International T20 Cricket series match between Kenya and Nepal at Nairobi Gymkhana ground on August 30, 2022. (Kelly Ayodi, Standard)

FKF Premier League clubs last season were forced to turn to the government for a financial boost after exhausting their coffers and are unable to fund their operations including paying staff salaries.

The situation was so worse that Mathare United which has been a talent hub for some of Kenya's brightest footballers failed to honour three matches and therefore relegated to National Super League.

Other include improving the sports infrastructure, including the stalled and dilapidated Kipchoge Keino and Kamariny stadiums in Usain Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties which, incidentally, are not only located in President Ruto's backyard, but also in an area that has produced thousands of world beaters in the track and field.

Investing in developing talent, completion of stalled projects to proper funding to national teams, a full in-tray awaits the incoming CS.

Having spearheaded the enactment of the 2013 Sports Act, Namwamba seems to be aware of what lies ahead of him.

Another head ace for Namwamba will be to step up the fight against doping which is affecting Athletics Kenya.

Up to 25 elite Kenyan athletes have been suspended or banned from competing this year alone, raising fears among stakeholders that the vice was getting out of hand.

By Ochieng Oyugi 53 mins ago
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Neuville clinches Kasarani stage as Hyundai makes intention known
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Will Fourmaux finally break M-Sport Ford jinx in Naivasha?
By Ben Ahenda 3 hrs ago
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Tundo revs off first as Ruto flags off Safari
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Speed, fun and drink as Safari Rally action takes over 'Vasha'