Ababu Namwamba Admits Talanta Hela App Was Launched Prematurely: "Not Yet Activated"

• Sports CS Ababu Namwamba was in the National Assembly to answer to lawmakers' queries pertinent to his docket
• Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei sought to know the progress of the Talanta Hela App which has been non-functional long after it was launched
• While rubbishing the call for resignation from a section of lawmakers, Ababu tabled his achievements close to a year since taking over the ministry

Nairobi - Members of the National Assembly on Tuesday, August 23, put to task CS Ababu Namwamba over an array of issues bedevilling his docket.

The Youth Affairs and Sports Cabinet Secretary has lately been a target of attacks from a host of lawmakers who lean toward the government.

Missing Talanta Hela App

Uasin Gishu MP Gladys Shollei picked a hole in the Talanta Hella App, which she observed was not functioning despite being launched by President William Ruto.

In his argument, Ababu explained that the software was yet to be activated, but there was progress in actualising it for public use.

The CS's explanation would not convince Shollei, who questioned why the president had to launch something still under development.

"He (Ababu) is confirming that the president launched something that was not ready. Because if it is not live to the public, it was not necessary to launch it. Let us get a confirmation that whatever was launched is something under construction," said Shollei.

The application would provide a platform through which sports people would avail their varied expertise for identification by potential sponsors and technicians.

Ababu is on record taking pride in the progress of the Talanta Hela program, whose committees were disbanded a few months back.

Ababu's resignation calls

Calls for Ababu's resignation over alleged complacency were started by the National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah, who observed that the CS was not living up to his mandate.

To join the trail would be Nandi senator Samson Cherargei, who claimed the CS had bungled the sports docket and he thus ought to be held responsible.

Cherargei said it was time a flamboyant Babu got summoned by the National Assembly to explain claims that the ministry was mishandling athletes.

The outspoken senator alleged that senior Sports ministry officials had travelled with "girlfriends" to the World Championship in Budapest at the expense of the nation's top sports representatives.

"Tonight I echo the sentiments of Kimani Ichung'wa, Majority Leader National assembly that CS Ababu continues to mismanage into oblivion our beloved sports. How can ministry officials fly first class with their girlfriends to the Olympics Budapest, Hungary at the expense of our athletes?" Cherargei posed.

Cherargei further alleged that top female athletes were being exploited sexually and economically.