This archive report was first published on 23 April 2020.
On March 8, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga watched a Kenyan Premier League match between AFC Leopards SC and Gor Mahia FC at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the world, President Uhuru Kenyatta has promised to use the Sport, Arts and Social Development Fund to cushion all the athletes from its ravages. In a public address to the nation, Kenyatta said the government through the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage is working out on modalities to help sportsmen and women during this difficult time.
On April 11, football stakeholders led by former FKF president Sam Nyamweya appealed to President Uhuru to consider measures to alleviate Kenya's top tier league in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The stakeholders pleaded with the President to direct the Sports Arts and Social Development Fund to release financial grants to the Kenyan Premier League clubs to assist in alleviating and mitigating against the economic challenges faced by the KPL players and their families.
According to the Ministry's Chief of Staff Rose Wachuka, the private sector has been engaged to set up a kitty to cushion the athletes. The kitty, targeting to raise between Sh150 million and Sh200 million, is likely to roll out by April 24 with priority given to the most vulnerable cases.
President Kenyatta said: “Most of the sporting activities in the world have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Just like those who have lost jobs in other sectors, the sporting industry in the country has also been affected,”
He added: “We have not forgotten our sportsmen and women. We are looking at the best possible ways of assisting them. We are going to assist each and every vulnerable Kenyan until the pandemic is contained. We are going to see how best we can use the Sports Fund and other avenues to cushion them during this difficult period.”
