The government spent a total of Sh147 million to facilitate team Kenya’s participation in the world athletics championship in Budapest, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has said.
This according to Ababu is not inclusive of the sports kits contrary to allegations made as Kenyan athletes are kitted by NIKE.
A section of lawmakers led by National Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei had earlier claimed the athletes were photographed wearing fake Adidas which she said were bought at River Road.
A breakdown of how the money was spent shows that Sh36 million was spent on allowances while Sh76 million on return air tickets to and from Budapest.
Some Sh11 million was used for accommodation expenses, Sh466,000 as homecoming expenses and Sh21.6 million as cash rewards.
Responding to a question from Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei on the floor of the House, Ababu further stated that his Ministry has already paid allowances and cash rewards to all the athletes who participated in the championship where Kenya emerged 1st in Africa and 5th in the world.
He further said upon assuming office, his Ministry revised the rewards scheme for the entire sports ecosystem by raising rates for both allowances and cash rewards.
Hongera Awards is a scheme aimed at rewarding Kenya’s sporting and creative legends.