Murang’a: Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has said his ministry is working to streamline operations of sports federations to ensure accountability and transparency. The federations, he noted, are entrusted to support sporting activities at grassroots but regretted that some funds channelled through the federations are misappropriated.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mwangi spoke during a public participation forum on the proposed Sports Act and Policy that brought together stakeholders from Murang’a, Nyeri, and Kirinyaga counties. He outlined the government’s commitment to funding local sports development and called for strict accountability among those managing the funds. Mwangi noted that the government is actively channelling funds to community-based sports groups to support the organization of tournaments and the purchase of essential playing equipment. He made it clear that the funds given through federations must be used responsibly and only for their intended purposes.
“We are giving money through federations across the country. This money must be used for the right purpose which is to organize structured tournaments and to buy proper playing equipment,” Mwangi noted. He warned against mismanagement of the funds, urging those in charge to embrace transparency. “We will not tolerate misuse of public funds meant to empower the youth. Everyone handling these funds must be accountable to the people,” he added.
The PS also emphasized the importance of order and structure in organizing sports activities at the grassroots. He pointed out that as the Ministry they expect well-coordinated and scheduled competitions that can help scout talent and support discipline in the sports sector. “We want organized games with clear schedules, not just casual gatherings. We need to track progress, scout talent and reward discipline,” he remarked.
Mwangi went on to announce that the government is in the process of establishing sports academies in each constituency as part of a national plan to nurture sports talent across the country. These academies will be equipped with standard fields for athletics and football and will also support rugby, netball, and hockey, among other indoor sports. “Each constituency will soon have a sports academy equipped with a standard athletics field and football pitches. These will also serve other sports like rugby, hockey, netball and more,” he said.
Specifically, he revealed that construction of two sports academies will soon begin in Murang’a County: one located in Makenji, Kandara constituency and Mirira area of Kiharu Constituency. “Already the construction of 37 sports academies is underway. These facilities would significantly boost talent development and provide a platform for young people to explore their potential in sports,” he added.
In addition to the academies, Mwangi reported that the government is currently building 52 new stadiums across the country to improve the quality of training and competition venues. “We are not only focusing on talent but also on where the talent is developed. Quality infrastructure is key to building successful athletes and teams,” he noted.
The public forum in Murang’a is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Sports to involve citizens in the review and development of a new National Sports Policy. Mwangi encouraged residents and stakeholders to participate actively in shaping the policy, which is expected to transform Kenya’s sports governance, improve athlete welfare, and enhance equitable distribution of sports resources.
Rachel Osendo, a member of the taskforce tasked to review the Kenya Sports Act, said the team is evaluating the ecosystem around sports. “We want to look at policy issues, legislative issues, and administrative issues, as well as institutional issues,” she said. Osendo underscored the need for updated policies and a legal framework that takes into account modern and emerging issues in sports, noting that the existing sports policy was passed in 2002, while the sports act was enacted in 2013. “We are interested in looking at the legislative framework and how it works, especially with the interface between the national and county governments and what their roles are,” she added.
She said the taskforce was also interested in the agencies established under the law to establish whether they are working optimally and representing the interests of the sportspeople.
The Chief Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Youth and Sports in Murang’a County, Noah Gachucha, on his part highlighted the county’s commitment toward supporting sports. “As a county, we recently passed the Murang’a County Sports and Talents Bill, and it has already been signed into an Act by the governor,” he said. “We are waiting for funds from the national government to implement this act that will make it mandatory for the county to set aside funds for sports and talents every financial year.”
The bill allocated Sh1 million for sports and talent to each of the 35 wards in the county. The CECM celebrated the move by the Ministry of Sports to upgrade Mumbi grounds within Murang’a town into a stadium.