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The Sports Ministry is set for sweeping changes if the National Assembly approves the nomination of returning former Minister Ababu Namwamba to the docket.

During the vetting of the immediate former Foreign Affairs Ministry Chief Administrative Secretary late last week by the Parliamentary Appointments Committee, the 46-year-old lined up the Sports Act, Talent Development and Sponsorship as his main agenda points once he assumes office after being confirmed.

Improve the faculty

The former Budalangi MP told Committee members under the stewardship of House Speaker Moses Wetangula of his disappointment with the chaos witnessed in the Ministry promising to work with stakeholders to improve the faculty as a key employment platform for the youth.

“First off this space is not strange to me because I have once been here between 2012-2013 after the appointment by the Late President Mwai Kibaki.

“I have a fairly good view of the sporting terrain. However, sincerely speaking, the sports industry in Kenya is in absolute turmoil and we need to fix this mess.

“If approved by the House, I will endeavour to first off all be on call with FIFA Secretary-General Gianni Infantino so that we find a solution to lifting the suspension that is affecting our football currently.

“On the other hand, the Badminton and Swimming Federation have been banned and I want to assure this Committee that with your approval, we will get down to work to sort out the mess.

“Everyone is aware that doping has been reported so overall Honourable Chairman and Members we have to be on top of things,” stated Namwamba in his opening statement while also offering a raft of solutions for the fledgling Arts and Culture sector as well.

Additionally, Namwamba bemoaned the current situation as it was promising to engage stakeholders to help address the gap.

“The whole benefit of pension is not available to our sportsmen. The late Joe Kadenge and recently departed Phillip Waruinge are perfect examples. There is no framework to take care of sports people as of now and this needs to change,” he said.

I agree that our sportsmen in retirement need financial freedom and we can undertake as a Ministry to address that. We also have rogue agents in the mix misleading our Athletes and these are part of the syndicate attached to the doping menace facing our country. If cleared by this Committee, I am more than determined to start cleaning this mess. Indeed Honourable Members, in my first 100 days in office, I will do a lot of listening so that then we can draft a road map for prosperity,” he added.