Samson Cherargei Blasts Ababu Namwamba For Not Welcoming Kenyan Athletes Arriving From Budapest

• Sports CS Ababu Namwamba is still in the bad books of some of his naysayers who have lately picked holes with his running of the docket
• Nandi senator Samson Cherargei now accuses the CS of failing to organise a triumphant reception of the athletes who took part in the Budapest athletics
• Cherargei juxtaposed Kenya with Uganda which he observed treats its athletes way better than how it is done in Nairobi

Nairobi - Nandi senator Samson Cherargei on Tuesday, August 29, sustained his tirades against Sports and Youth Affairs CS Ababu Namwamba who was accused of bungling his docket.

This time, the senator picked issue with Ababu's absence at the country's august airport to receive the Kenyan athletes who participated in the World Athletics Championship recently held in Hungary's Budapest capital.

The sports people started landing on the evening of Monday, August 28, after the medals hunt abroad.

Cherargei picked holes with how the medalists were not honoured with the triumphant reception that he believed they deserved.

The senator laid the blame on Ababu whom he took a jibe on, the leadership of Athletics Kenya, and the National Olympics Committee both of which are charged with handling the athletes' affairs.

"Yesterday several athletes, including the two gold winners, jetted back to the country but the type of reception being accorded to them is still wanting. The CS himself did not show up to receive them and it is good to know their arrival was at night, and we know the CS is active more at night considering the number of events he attends," said Cherargei.

This, Cherargei suggested, indicated the government's general lack of commitment to motivating and incentivising the sportsmen and women as they carry the national flag in international sporting events.

The senator sought an explanation from the relevant authorities over the low-key reception of the athletes.

He also sought to understand what the athletes were entitled to following their runs and feats in the sports.

Cherargei juxtaposed Kenya and Uganda, giving credit to the latter whose president he said rewards athletes reasonably with cash and assets.

"What really happened to our team management for our athletes' reception in Nairobi? They also ought to expound on the reward scheme system and stipends given to winners in various categories. In Uganda, President Museveni is giving them a car, a house etc," he noted.