Fresh concerns have emerged within Kenya’s judo fraternity over alleged delays in paying athletes and volunteers who participated in the continental championships held in April.
According to an anonymous source who says they have been involved in and supported judo for many years, athletes who represented Kenya at the championships are still waiting for their allowances.
More than 200 volunteers who helped organise the continental competition are similarly alleged to remain unpaid.
The concerns have now gone beyond unpaid allowances, with questions being raised about the federation’s financial accountability and the reported budget used to host the continental competition.
The source alleges that the federation’s accounts remain unaudited despite constitutional requirements on financial accountability.
Questions have also been raised about reports that approximately KSh 500 million was allocated through the Ministry of Sports for hosting the continental competition.
The source is calling for a detailed accounting of the money, including how much was received, how it was spent, which companies or individuals were paid and how much was set aside for athletes and volunteers.
More serious allegations have also emerged over the possible misuse of the funds.
The source claims some officials may have diverted resources for personal political ambitions ahead of the 2027 General Election, while some athletes allegedly remained unpaid.
The concerns are particularly serious because many Kenyan judokas reportedly come from modest backgrounds and depend on allowances and competition support to participate in international events.
For athletes who already struggle to finance training and daily living expenses, delayed allowances can have a direct impact on their ability to continue competing.
The situation involving volunteers raises similar questions. More than 200 people reportedly contributed their time and labour to the continental competition, yet they are alleged to still be waiting for payment months after the event.
The concerns come amid a broader history of disputes involving sports federations and delayed athlete allowances in Kenya.
Kenyan athletes have previously complained about delayed payments after representing the country at international competitions, with some forced to wait months before receiving allowances. Such disputes have repeatedly raised questions about how government funding moves from sports agencies to federations and eventually reaches athletes.
Other sporting federations have similarly faced scrutiny over financial management, procurement and athlete welfare, with government agencies and Parliament occasionally called upon to examine how public funds allocated to sports are used.
The judo allegations therefore raise a straightforward question: if funds were allocated for the continental competition, why are athletes and volunteers still waiting for their money?
The source is calling on the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Sports Fund and the Ministry of Sports to investigate the matter.
The requested probe should establish the amount of money allocated for the competition, the amount actually released, how it was spent and whether athletes and volunteers received the allowances allocated to them.
The source is further calling for an independent audit of the federation’s accounts and a review of the procurement and expenditure records connected to the continental championships.
Any person found to have misused public or federation funds should, according to the complainant, be held accountable.
The source further argues that officials facing credible financial allegations should refrain from conducting federation activities pending an independent investigation and full accounting of the funds.
Complaint received ¶
Hello Nyakundi, I am following up on the ongoing judo story. As someone who has been involved in and supported judo for many years, I believe this issue deserves urgent attention. It is alleged that athletes who represented the country at the continental championships in April have still not received their allowances. Additionally, more than 200 volunteers who helped organize the event are reportedly yet to be paid. There are also concerns that the federation's accounts remain unaudited, despite constitutional requirements for financial accountability. Questions have also been raised regarding the budget for hosting the continental competition, with reports claiming that approximately KSh 500 million was allocated through the Ministry for the event. Allegations have emerged that part of these funds may have been misappropriated, with claims that some officials diverted resources for personal political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections. It is further alleged that while some officials received payments, many judokas, most of whom come from modest backgrounds and work in the informal sector, have been left without the support they were promised. Given the seriousness of these allegations, we respectfully call upon the relevant authorities, including the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Sports Fund, and the Ministry of Sports, to conduct an independent investigation and establish the facts. If any wrongdoing is confirmed, those responsible should be held accountable. Pending a full investigation and proper accounting of the funds, it would be appropriate for the officials in question to refrain from conducting federation activities in order to protect the integrity of the sport and restore public confidence.