Sports CS Wario under pressure to resign over Rio scandal

Pressure is mounting on Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario to resign, following Team Kenya debacle in Rio Olympics in Brazil as embattled Chef-de-Mission, Stephen arap Soi, was released from custody on Sunday after posting Ksh50,000 police bond.

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba have asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to sack Wario over the gross mismanagement of the Kenyan team that made history with its stellar performance at the just concluded Olympics in Rio.

With three top National Olympics Committee-Kenya (Nock); Francis K Paul, Soi and James Chacha waiting to be arraigned in court on Monday, leaders are now urging the President to sack the Sports CS over alleged gross mismanagement of his docket.

Speaking on Saturday during a Women’s Sacco fundraiser in Mwingi North constituency, Kitui County, Kalonzo said the thirteen medals include six gold medals the Kenyan team harvested at the Rio Olympics should have ignited heroic reception on arrival of the athletes at the airport but contrary, Kenyans were treated to a fiasco of officials being arrested on arrival.

“Corruption in this country has reached a point where even Jubilee themselves are now running scared-of, it’s like they have been asleep, our team in Rio Olympics who won six gold medals and lifted the Kenyan flag high, the officials stole from them, this is a big shame, ” said Kalonzo.

The former vice-president said the athletes were subjected to substandard treatment by the Kenyan officials.

On his part Namwamba who is a former Sports Minister under the Grand Coalition Government said Wario should carry his own cross and take responsibility for the fiasco in Rio, instead of shifting blame to the Nock officials.

Speaking at his backyard on Saturday, Namwamba warned that Wario might sink the Sports Ministry into further turmoil, if the President will not intervene and take action.

“Wario must resign as Sports CS or things will get worse. Look at his performance in all sports departments and tell me if he has achieved anything,” added Namwamba.

The Kenyan team braved nasty living conditions and lack of sufficient facilities, such as training and competing kits, yet resources of up to Ksh600 million had been allocated to cater for the team.

The track and field team returned the country’s best ever performance from the Games winning six gold, six silver and a bronze as the country topped Africa and finished 15th overall from over 200 competing nations.

The three Nock officials have since recorded statements at the DCI headquarters and are being held at Muthaiga police station.

President Kenyatta has ordered a crackdown against all officials who mismanaged the Kenyan Olympics team.