This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
On August 9, 2019, the government breathed new life into Kenya's sports scene when it constituted the Sports, Art and Social Development Fund board. President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Lt Gen (retired) Jackson Tuwei as its chairman.
The Fund's primary objective is to ensure that sports, arts, and social development projects are well-financed. It aims to equitably disburse funds to all national teams before and during international competitions.
So far, the Fund has made significant disbursements, including Sh250 million to the Kenya Golf Union for the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Championship and Sh244 million to Football Kenya Federation for preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Kenya Motor Sports Federation has also received Sh400 million for the 2019 Safari Rally, with the hope that the event will be reinstated back to the World Rally Championship Circuit. Additionally, over Sh181 million has been disbursed to Kenya's elite athletes.
However, some sports disciplines continue to struggle with funding. The Kenya women's rugby team, the Lionesses, are currently in South Africa taking part in qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup with no support from the government.
It is imperative that Tuwei's team puts its house in order to ensure that national teams honour their international engagements.
