This archive report was first published on 14 June 2020.
Kenya's Sports Federations Exposed as Bankrupt by Coronavirus ¶
Coronavirus has laid bare the financial struggles of Kenya's sports federations, with many unable to sustain themselves during difficult times.
Paul Feeney's sudden departure as Kenya Sevens head coach in June 2020 was attributed to the pandemic, but it highlighted the financial woes of the country's sports federations.
According to Treasury CS Ukur Yatani, sports, culture, tourism, and arts contribute significantly to Kenya's economic development, generating foreign exchange and creating jobs for the youth.
Yatani proposed an allocation of 14 billion shillings to the Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund in the 2020-2021 Budget, a significant increase from the previous year's allocation of 5.3 billion shillings.
However, experts argue that the allocation may not be enough to address the financial challenges faced by the sports federations, which have few or no other sources of income.
One notable exception is Athletics Kenya, which has shown a commitment to its athletes' welfare, but even this federation has struggled with limited funds.
Clay Muganda, an editor at The Standard, criticized the sports federations for their lack of vision and failure to institute income-generating mechanisms to sustain themselves during difficult times.
He argued that the federations' officials have refused to adapt to the modern sports world, instead relying on handouts from the government.
As the country navigates the pandemic, it remains to be seen whether the proposed allocation will be enough to address the financial struggles of Kenya's sports federations.
