French Embassy Refuses To Make List Of Kenyan Olympics Delegation Public
The Embassy emphasized France's commitment and honour to welcoming athletes, fans, and visitors from all around the world and to bring the global sporting community together in Paris
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The French Embassy in Kenya on Thursday, July 11 declined to release the visa list containing the Kenyan delegation to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, including government officials, in response to several requests from Kenyans.
In a statement, the Embassy revealed that while it endeavours to welcome athletes and fans from all around the world to Paris, it will do so by processing visa applications while respecting conformity and privacy rules.
As the host country of the 2024 Olympic Games, the Embassy emphasized France's commitment and honour to welcoming athletes, fans, and visitors from all around the world and to bring the global sporting community together in Paris, in a spirit of openness and inclusivity.
People stand next to a logo signifying the Olympics in Paris, France. /FAT TIRE TOURS
"All Embassies of France across the world have been putting great efforts into processing visa applications to ensure that the various Olympic and Paralympic teams, as well as supporters, can compete and witness legendary athletic performances in Paris this year.
"It is important to underline that the role of the Embassy of France in Kenya is limited to granting visas to those who submit valid applications," the statement read in part.
The Embassy further stated that it is bound by obligations regarding respect of privacy and personal data protection, and thus cannot communicate or publish the personal information of visa applicants.
"France looks forward to hosting the world at the Paris Olympics, and Miramas is particularly keen and ready to host Team Kenya as they prepare for the Games. The Embassy of France wishes Team Kenya the best of luck in Paris," added the statement.
This comes hours after immediate former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba issued four directives to the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) in response to growing pressure to release the names of the delegation.
Hours before being fired by President William Ruto who announced that he dissolved his whole Cabinet, Namwamba had in a letter addressed to Francis Mutuku, the Secretary General of the NOCK, and in reference to the meeting of the Preparatory and Management Committee (PMC) for the Paris 2024 Olympics, instructed NOCK to expedite the finalisation of the Team Kenya delegation to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The delegation is expected to be comprised of athletes, officials and medics, alongside details regarding the specific role of each member of the delegation.
NOCK was further instructed to keep the delegation at the barest minimum as directed by the CS and affirmed by the PMC. The priority is athletes, their coaches and medics.
"Do further note that in line with the Government's transparency, and accountability policy, the full Team Kenya delegation should be made public by NOCK," he directed.
