Namwamba Suspends Funding For Non-Important International Sports Competitions

The Ministry of Sports has temporarily suspended funding for non-priority international sports competitions and programs.

In a letter seen by Viral Tea, the Ministry, through its Director of Sports and addressed to all Presidents and Secretary Generals of all sports federations, noted that the move was in line with a directive by President William Ruto regarding budget cuts across all ministries.

"As you are aware, the Government has directed the implementation of austerity measures geared towards reducing expenditure of public funds. All Government Ministries and Agencies have been directed to cut down on non-priority expenditure.

"In view of the foregoing, we wish to notify you that, the Ministry has suspended funding of non-priority sports competitions/programmes with immediate effect," read the letter in part.

The Ministry further added that priority will only be given to teams with a high probability/chance of qualifying for notable global sports competitions.

They include the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics/Paralympics, World Championships and African Games 2023.

Others include the East African Community Games 2023, the hosting of CECAFA 2023 as well as future tournaments such as CHAN 2025 and AFCON 2027 respectively.

"Federations are, however, encouraged to seek support from corporate sponsors and other partners," added the letter.

President Ruto on Tuesday, October 3 ordered all Ministries to reduce their 2023/24 budgets by 10 per cent.

"President William Ruto has directed ministries to cut their 2023/2024 budgets by 10 per cent to align expenditures with available resources amidst the global economic stress.

"While chairing a cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto emphasized the need for the Government to exercise prudence in resource utilization, firmly stating that wastage and corruption would not be tolerated," read an excerpt of a despatch seen by Viral Tea.

In the 2023/24 budget presented by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u in Parliament back in June, the Ministry had its budget drastically reduced, having been allocated Ksh6.4 billion in President Ruto's first budget since taking office on September 13, 2022.

The sports docket was allocated Ksh9.4 billion less than the 2022/23 budget, the last under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, which saw sports given Ksh15.8 billion.

Still, the Ministry of Sports has been on the spot for alleged misuse of funds meant for athletes, with Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba accused of including joyriders in international sports trips while underfunding sporting events.