The National Assembly Committee on Sports has issued a stern warning to Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum, threatening to impose a Kshs. 500,000 fine over his repeated absence from crucial accountability meetings. The meetings were intended to address delays in the establishment of Sports Academies and the completion of stadium construction, among other key issues.
The Committee, chaired by Webuye West MP Hon. Dan Wanyama, expressed its frustration today after Tum skipped a meeting for the fourth time. According to Wanyama, the PS had sent a last-minute communication stating that he would be unable to attend due to unavoidable circumstances.
“The PS has a tendency of skipping crucial meetings to explain to the Committee reasons behind the delay in starting the construction of 25 Sports Academies in selected constituencies in the first phase,” said Hon. Wanyama. He added, “The Committee has invited him for the last time next Tuesday. If he fails to appear, the Committee will invoke the Powers and Privileges Act by taking necessary action.”
Wanyama emphasized that the Committee had allocated funds for the academies in the budget, and the delay in implementing these projects was unacceptable.
Teso South MP Hon. Mary Emaase pointed out that President William Ruto had made clear his commitment to setting up the academies and completing the construction of stadiums. She stressed that the Committee has a duty to ensure these projects are implemented.
“The PS is a stumbling block to the president’s efforts to fulfill his promise of establishing academies and stadiums,” said Hon. Emaase.
Wanyama further noted that the delay in starting these projects paints the president in a negative light, and the Committee is determined to protect the president’s reputation by addressing any sabotage within the ministry.
Busia County MP Hon. Catherine Amanyo called the plan to set up sports academies across the country a noble idea that had excited youth. However, she expressed disappointment over the ministry’s slow progress in implementing the projects.
“The PS has shown that he is incapable of running the ministry, and he should step aside to allow a competent person to take over,” she added.
Amanyo stressed that the academies were meant to nurture and develop talent at the grassroots level and should be implemented without further delay.
Bomet East MP Hon. Richard Yegon criticized Tum’s repeated absence from the meetings, stating that it showed a lack of respect for the House Committee.
“This is the fourth time the PS is ignoring the Committee’s invitation to appear before it. We will no longer tolerate this,” Yegon warned.
Matungulu MP Hon. Stephen Mule urged President Ruto to dismiss the PS, claiming that Tum had demonstrated his inability to deliver on the ministry’s agenda.
He expressed frustration that Committee members had interrupted their recess to attend the meeting, only for the PS to be absent.
“We cannot travel from our constituencies to come for a meeting that the PS thinks is not important,” Mule lamented.
Marsabit County MP Hon. Naomi Waqo highlighted the impact of the ministry’s inaction on the youth, who are missing out on opportunities due to the lack of sports facilities. She urged Tum to take his work seriously, emphasizing the importance of National Assembly Committee meetings in addressing key issues within the ministry.
