Little known? Yes, but we all waited for Wario’s departure – Kioni

Kenya Volleyball Federation boss Waithaka Kioni has questioned the background of the newly nominated Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Mohammed Achesa who was nominated to replace Dr. Hassan Wario on Friday when President Uhuru Kenyatta unveiled his new Cabinet.

Kioni who doubles up as the vice-president of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) says although the new nominee is little known as far as sports is concerned, he expects him to deliver once he sails through Parliament’s vetting.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Kioni added that the change in the ministry was timely following a contrasting legacy left by Wario whose reign was dogged by scandals including the infamous Rio waterloo and most recently,  the CAF’s decision to strip Kenya of African Nations Championship (CHAN) hosting rights citing poor preparations.

‘’For us what was important was the departure of Hassan Wario because he was not helpful in that ministry in the last four years. Although we do not know the background of Achesa,  our president knows better why he appointed him .We welcome him with the hopes that he will steer the ministry to greater heights,’’ the KVF supremo said.

Achesa, a former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) youth leader, if  approved by the Parliament, is poised to confront a mouthful events in his first year of service with  four Championships – Women African Club Championship (March 5-18), Men Africa club Championship (March 25 to April 6), CAVB Women U20 Championships (August 17 to 26) and the FIVB World Women’s Championships (September 27 to October 20) –lined up in this year alone in KVF calendar.

Formerly known as the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts, the department has been rebranded as the Ministry of Sports and Heritage with Peter Kaberia retained as the Sports PS,  a move that Kioni has applauded.

“I am happy for the President to retain PS Kaberia because he has been doing a good job in the ministry. We recently did have an effective discussion with him where he requested all the federations to submit their budgets for this year and I am sure he will implement the budgets, so it was a good decision for our president’’ added Kioni.

The 11 new faces named in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s new Cabinet will be vetted after president forwards their names to the Parliament on Monday.