Members of Parliament have called for Kenya to expand its participation in various sports at future Olympic Games.
After giving a standing ovation to Team Kenya for their success at the recent Paris Olympics, the MPs emphasized the need to invest in a broader range of sports for better representation and continued global success.
They have challenged the Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, to expand Kenya’s involvement in more disciplines at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Led by Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna, the MPs noted that Kenya’s participation this year was limited to athletics, with all 11 medals earned coming solely from athletic disciplines.
Nguna called for the Ministry of Sports, Athletics Kenya (AK), and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) to invest heavily in other sports to enhance and broaden Kenya’s participation in the next Olympics.
“It’s crucial that we broaden our sports coverage. By increasing our participation in a wider range of sports, we can enhance our chances of winning more medals,” he observed.
He added: “Of course, we were in Africa continent, but we still need to do a lot to so that we can actually start competing with countries like United States, who bagged over 100 medals and even with countries like China in various disciplines.”
Endebess MP Robert Pukose said that the new Cabinet Secretary for Sports has a significant task ahead to ensure the inclusion of all disciplines in the next Olympics.
“We hope that the CS will be able to act under the new dispensation to make sure that we present athletes in almost all games next Olympics games in Los Angeles in 2028,” he stated.
“We should include athletes in all disciplines. Our neighbors, the Turkana and Pokot communities, are known for their skill in spear-throwing. So, in the next Olympics, we should include those who excel in spear throwing, shot put, and other similar events.”
Sotik MP Julius Sigei called on the Nock officials to adequately prepare athletes for the next Olympics, emphasizing the need for Kenya to diversify into other sports.
He expressed regret that traditional strengths, such as the 10,000 meters and 3,000 meters steeplechase, have slipped away to competitors.
“It’s time we diversify our focus to secure more medals in various disciplinesIt’s time we diversify our focus to secure more medals in various disciplines,” he stated.
Sigei also called for the establishment of a reward scheme to honor sportsmen and sportswomen who excel in different events.
Sigowet/Soin MP Justice Kemei suggested a reevaluation of Kenya’s sports strategy, noting that while Kenya has excelled in track races in the past, recent stiff competition from countries like the USA and Ethiopia poses challenges.
“My advice to CS Murkomen is to focus on areas where we have historically done well, such as the steeplechase and middle distances like the 1,500 meters, while also exploring new disciplines,” Kemei noted.
Tinderet MP Julius Melly urged the Ministry of Sports and athletics federations to place a greater emphasis on long and middle-distance events, which Kenya is gradually losing to neighboring countries like Uganda and Ethiopia, as well as emerging powerhouses such as South Africa, Canada and the US.
Melly emphasized the need for Kenya to invest heavily to reclaim its dominance in these historic races.
“We must particularly focus on motivating our athletes. For example, athletes who changed their citizenship and represented Bahrain in the Olympics received significant incentives, including houses, cars, and cash awards.”
