Members of Parliament have called for Kenya to participate in more sports at future Olympic Games.
After giving a standing ovation to Team Kenya for their success in the recent Paris Olympics, the MPs stressed the need to invest in a wider range of sports for better representation and continued global success.
They have challenged the Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, to expand Kenya’s participation in more disciplines at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Led by Mwingi West MP Hon. Charles Nguna, the MPs observed that in this year’s Olympics Kenya’s participation was limited to athletics, and all 11 medals Kenya earned came solely from athletic disciplines.
Nguna called for the Ministry of Sports, Athletics Kenya, and the National Olympic Committee – Kenya to invest heavily in other disciplines 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 said.
“Of course, we were in the African continent, but we still need to do a lot to so that we can start competing with countries like the United States, who bagged over 100 medals, and even with countries like China in various disciplines,” he added.
Nguna commended Faith Kipyegon, for winning the 1500m women’s race and breaking her Olympic record, an achievement he described as unprecedented.
He extended his congratulations to her, acknowledging her remarkable accomplishment as something no other athlete, male or female, has achieved.
Endebess MP Hon (Dr.) Robert Pukose said the work for the new Cabinet Secretary for Sports is cut out to ensure that he can widen the scope and include all disciplines ahead of 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,” said Dr. Pukose.
“We should have 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,” he added.
Baringo Women Representative Hon. Florence Jematiah expressed concerns about the performance of Team Kenya in this year’s Olympics, noting that while Kenya typically excels in various athletic disciplines, this year’s results were disappointing.
Jematiah also highlighted the decline in the branding and recognition of Kenyan athletes, contrasting the current situation with the past when athletes were highly regarded by both the government and private entities, including the media.
“I expected to see extensive coverage of athletes like Faith Kipyegon, who delivered an outstanding performance, winning a gold medal and breaking her Olympic record. Such achievements deserve more attention,” she said.
She urged the government to establish incentives to reward athletes for their exemplary performance across different disciplines.
Sotik MP Julius Sigei urged the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (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 disciplines,” he said.
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 said.
Tinderet MP Hon. 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,” he said.
He suggested that successful Kenyan athletes abroad should be brought back, celebrated, and motivated to compete for Kenya, arguing that with proper support, Kenyan athletes could outpace competitors from Western countries.
Melly also called for the athletics community to be recognized and incentivized to inspire them to pursue athletics as a lifelong career while making a living from it.
On his part, Kiambu MP John Waithaka Machua raised concerns over the increasing migration of Kenyan athletes to other countries in search of better opportunities.
He specifically called for an end to the practice of “selling’ Kenyan athletes to Middle Eastern nations like Bahrain.
Citing the case of Winfred Mutile Yavi, a Kenyan-born athlete who now represents Bahrain and won the gold medal in the 3000 meters steeplechase at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Hon. Machua expressed regret that past officials of Athletics Kenya (AK) had facilitated the export of talent for personal gain.
“Winfred Yavi, the athlete who won the 3000 meters steeplechase, revealed in an interview that AK officials had demanded a bribe of Ksh 200,000 for her to represent Kenya. This is a grave concern, and such practices must be stopped to ensure our athletes are not forced to pay bribes to represent their country,” Machua said.
He urged the government to prioritize the welfare of Kenyan athletes, whom he referred to as national treasures, emphasizing that they should be properly cared for, honored, and respected.
“It is disheartening to see that athletes who have represented Kenya in the past are now living in abject poverty. The government must take action to ensure their well-being,” he added.
Kesses MP Hon. (CPA) Julius Ruto urged CS Murkomen to take decisive action against sports federations such as Athletics Kenya and NOCK, which he blamed for the subpar performance at the recent Olympics.
Ruto noted that despite strong performances from some athletes, Kenya faced significant challenges in specific track events, like the 3,000-meter steeplechase, a traditionally strong event for the country but is slowly drifting away.
“It shows there is a problem somewhere, either in this election or in the process of training and identifying the team, and all go together and Zeros to the leadership,” said CPA Ruto.
He highlighted that while other countries, such as the United States, are shifting their focus to long-distance events, Kenya’s strength in these areas is waning.
Despite performing well and being the top African nation, he held Kenya is losing its edge in critical events that have historically been our forte.
While applauding Team Kenya for their efforts, Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo expressed concern that Kenya is beginning to lose its traditional strengths in certain races where it has historically excelled.
“This could indicate one of two things: either outdated coaching methods or an unfair selection process for athletes competing in these events,” Oundo said.
He urged Athletics Kenya to invest in retired athletes who, after their competitive careers end, often fade from the spotlight.
“I urge Athletics Kenya to engage with these retired athletes, not just for competition but in communication roles. They could serve as brand ambassadors and promote various products globally,” he added.
