Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has written to the National Assembly and the Senate speakers requesting that he be summoned to appear before the houses to respond to queries raised by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah and Nandi Senator Simon Cherargei touching on his ministry.
The two legislators accused Namwamba of mismanaging the sports sector and neglecting the welfare of Kenyan athletes.
Allegations have also been raised that Namwamba travels with “joyriders” and “girlfriends” to international events at the expense of the nation’s top sports representatives.
Namwamba, who was appointed as the Sports CS in January 2023, has vehemently denied the accusations and now says he is ready to face the parliament and defend his record.
In a brief response on Tuesday, August 22, Ababu stated he is busy working hard to improve the sports infrastructure, enact policies, and support the creative industry in the country.
Sports CS Ababu Namwamba has written to the National Assembly and the Senate speakers requesting that he be summoned to appear before the houses to respond to queries raised by Kikuyu MP Hon. Kimani Ichungwa and Nandi Senator Hon. Simon Cherargai touching on his ministry.… pic.twitter.com/WcVb8KLv1x
— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) August 22, 2023
“I have nothing to hide and I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight and clear my name from these baseless accusations. I have been serving this country with dedication and integrity, and I have a lot of achievements to show for it,” he explained.
Namwamba said he has appointed several celebrities, sports personalities, and famous Kenyans in the creative industry to positions in newly formed committees in his ministry to enhance public participation and stakeholder engagement.
He also said he has been instrumental in uniting a diverse coalition of voices and advocating for policies that resonated with the concerns of ordinary Kenyan citizens.
Namwamba’s current situation raises questions about whether the criticism he’s facing is genuinely motivated by concerns for the sports sector or if it’s more of a politically motivated attack.
The timing of these accusations, after more than six months in office, could indeed be viewed as suspicious.
It is possible that his growing popularity might be seen as a threat by his fellow politicians.
While we lack all the facts, it’s commendable that Namwamba is willing to confront these allegations head-on by requesting to appear before the parliament.
We trust that the parliament will provide a fair platform for him to explain his actions and respond to the legislators’ queries.
It is equally important for the public to assess him based on his accomplishments and outcomes, seeing past the potential political noise.
As a public servant, Namwamba’s commitment to his role should be judged by the impact he makes for the people he serves.
Ultimately, the best interests of the public should guide the evaluation of his performance.
