Pay athletes now, President Kenyatta orders

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa to ensure that Kenyan athletes are paid both their local and international allowances by Wednesday 1 pm.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday afternoon during a flag-hand-over ceremony to the Commonwealth Games-bound team, the President ordered Sports Cabinet Secretary to ensure that the team is paid every single cent owed before they travel.

The team’s camp was recently rocked after they threatened not to train and even travel to Gold Coast, Australia for the Games owing to a kitting problem and delay in disbursing their allowances and bonuses.

Kenya is primed to participate in a number of disciplines at the Games and is widely viewed as the favourites to challenge for the overall crown.

“I do not want to hear any complaints from athletes that no one has been paid. Mr. Echesa, kindly be cooperative and let everyone get their payment.  It is their entitlement to be paid. I want to see athletes living happily,” Kenyatta charged.

Team captain Elijah Manangoi also thanked the president for hosting them and requested him to ensure that athletes are paid their dues, some of which have been withheld since 2012.

“We are ready Mr. President to bring gold medals to our country. I would like to thank the government for the support so far. However, I have a request to make, as the team leader, I have been sent by my fellow athletes about the promises made since 2012 which haven’t been honoured,”Manangoi, speaking on behalf of the athletes, said.

Kenyatta also challenged the team to do their best in Gold Coast and bring glory to the country.

“I know it takes tremendous effort to reach where you are … and the most important thing is to participate whether you win or not,  just do your best,” Kenyatta said, adding that, “ If we get gold very well, if we get silver well and good, if we get bronze it is well too and if we get nothing just come home,” he added humorously amidst an applause from the tentative athletes.

Part of Team Kenya’s large contingent which includes boxing, triathlon, cycling, weightlifting and medical staff, are already in Australia ahead of the games.

The first batch of athletes jet out on Friday while the second batch leaves a week later on April 8.

At the 2014 edition in Glasgow, Scotland, Kenya bagged 25 medals; 10 gold, 10 silver and 5 bronze and expectations are soaring high that Team Kenya will surpass this number.

Report by Caro Kones and Charity Wanja