Former Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Ababu Namwamba, has spoken out about his tenure’s achievements days after being dismissed by President William Ruto.
Namwamba’s termination followed weeks of unrest against the government.
In his first public statement since the dismissal, Namwamba highlighted several accomplishments during his nearly two-year tenure and commended his team’s efforts.
“I believe we’ve accomplished remarkable feats. We revitalized sports, successfully persuaded FIFA to lift the football suspension, and secured the hosting rights for AFCON, marking Kenya’s inaugural occasion. Notably, motorsports has seen a resurgence,” Namwamba stated via Citizen.
While acknowledging successes, Namwamba deferred to the President on future directions. He expressed optimism about his ministry’s legacy but emphasized the presidential prerogative in determining the way forward.
Before his dismissal, Namwamba faced pressure on social media to disclose the attendee list for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Sports Development in Kenya Under Namwamba
Despite achievements, questions persist over sports infrastructure, particularly football, which has seen limited improvements despite financial allocations.
During his tenure, logistical challenges compelled Harambee Stars to relocate to Malawi due to ongoing renovations at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani, and Nyayo National Stadiums.
Harambee Stars’ captain, Michael Olunga, expressed dissatisfaction with stadium closures, highlighting ongoing concerns within the sporting community.
