I am Team Kenya boss for Commonwealth Games – Soi

Team Kenya Chef de Mission for Rio 2016 Olympics Stephen Arap Soi now wants the court to release his passport to enable him travel to Australia.

Soi c;aimed he has been appointed as the Chef-de-Mission for Team Kenya that would be selected to participate in the Commonwealths Games scheduled to be held in Australia.

He therefore needs the release of his passport to enable him to process his Visa and CDM Seminar taking place on the 8th to 12th October .

“As part of preparations for the events, I am required to represent Kenya in the Chef De missions’ seminar that is set to place in Australia between 8th and 12th October 2017,” reads the application.

Soi told the court that he received an email from Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDDOC) on September 8, requiring him to obtain a visa to facilitate the process of accreditation.

In his petition he said he has never absconded court and will thus not be a threat if given his passport back.

The matter has been certified as urgent and is set for inter-party hearing on the September 23rd.

The Team Kenya Chef-de- Mission was arrested after the Rio Olympics Games over alleged mistreatment of Team Kenya athletes and misappropriation of funds.

He was arrested alongside three other Nock senior officials; Secretary General Francis Kinyili Paul, Ben Ekumbo and Pius Ochieng who were the first and second vice presidents. Pius Ochieng, however, resigned following the charges of pinching Team Kenya kits.

Soi’s passport was deposited in court after he denied five charges of stealing Ksh25,907,705.82 (USD256, 000) from government, National Olympics Committee-Kenya (Nock) and Athletics Kenya.

The court, however, said that he can always apply to have it temporarily if need to travel arises.