This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
On April 22, 2020, Harambee Stars forward Michael Olunga spoke out about the struggles faced by Kenyan athletes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The government's decision to close sports facilities in the country has led to the indefinite cancellation of all sports activities, leaving many athletes without a steady income.
‘I have played in the Kenyan Premier League for Gor Mahia in 2015 and it was a very tough experience,' Olunga recalled, drawing parallels with the current situation.
‘There was a time we went for two months without a salary. I am trying to imagine the situation at the moment where the footballers cannot go to the field and cannot get bonuses from playing games,' he said.
‘It is also very difficult for them if you consider the players do not get a good salary,' Olunga added, emphasizing the challenges faced by athletes during this period.
‘Then it means it is very hard for them to survive during this period. My plea to the government is to try and consider the athletes because they do a physical job and at the end of the day also have to try and put food on the table,' he urged.
