Nairobi, August 21, 2023 - Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba faces scrutiny and allegations of mismanagement as Uasin Gishu Woman Representative and Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei accuses him of allowing Kenyan athletes to wear counterfeit uniforms, including fake Adidas shoes procured by the ministry.

Shollei's claims came shortly after National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah criticized Ababu Namwamba's management of the Sports Ministry. Speaking on Citizen TV, Shollei lamented the alleged state of affairs within the Ministry of Sports and accused Ababu Namwamba of misusing resources and failing to fulfill promises to the youth.

"Our team that went to Tunisia for the games were wearing fake Adidas sports shoes from River Road in Nairobi. The team that went to Tobago was also wearing fake uniforms. By the time a country reaches a point where our athletes are wearing fake uniforms, it means that there is something wrong with the management of sports," Shollei expressed.

Shollei not only echoed Ichung'wah's criticism but also revealed instances where athletes were allegedly abandoned at airports and poor travel conditions for them, contrasting with luxury trips taken by sports managers and officials.

She recounted a situation where she had to host athletes at her home due to the Cabinet Secretary's absence to receive them as expected. Shollei warned that Ababu Namwamba's management of the ministry could tarnish his reputation as an effective leader.

Further, Shollei criticized the information provided about the Talanta Hela initiative, asserting that claims made by Ababu Namwamba were misleading. She pointed out that the Talanta Hela Mobile App, supposedly launched to support creative artists, was unavailable on both Google Play Store and Apple Store, contrary to earlier reports.

While President William Ruto initially endorsed Ababu Namwamba's initiatives, recent criticisms from within the government have cast doubt on his effectiveness in managing the sports sector. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah demanded Ababu's appearance before the house to address allegations of neglecting athletes.

As the allegations unfold, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has yet to respond to defend himself and counter the accusations, leaving questions regarding his management of the Ministry of Sports unanswered.