Fed-up Kenyans have taken to Twitter under hashtag #WhyAlwaysSportsKe to demand for better treatment of national teams.
This after news filtered in that the Harambee Stars are struggling to secure air tickets to Ethiopia for their next week’s Afcon 2019 qualifier against the hosts.
With less than a week to the crucial Group F fixture, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has been knocking on the government’s door for help with little success.
Kenya is so broke to afford Harambee Stars' accommodation, and air tickets to Ethiopia for the 2019 AFCON qualifier, yet Billions in taxes from betting firms lay untouched at the treasury. How? #WhyAlwaysSportsKe pic.twitter.com/gtXzPubHqc
— Ustadh Okello Kimathi (@UstadhOKimathi) October 4, 2018
The government has also not honored their pledge to cater for Stars head coach Sebastien Migne’s salary and the Frenchman has now gone four months without pay.
Plans for the team to camp in Nairobi before flying together to Addis Ababa has been shelved and foreign–based professionals will now connect directly to Ethiopia from their bases to save cost.
While the government of TZ has provided this newly acquired Boeing 787 dreamliner to Taifa Stars to ease their travel to Cape Verde, Kenya's government cannot aid Harambee Stars travel to next door Ethiopia, it's a shame! #WhyAlwaysSportsKe pic.twitter.com/tGRWoxvAFi
— Bonface Osano (@bonfaceosano) October 4, 2018
FKF is financially crippled for over four months now after KRA frozen their accounts due to Ksh 41million tax arrears Nick Mwendwa’s regime inherited from Sam Nyamweya’s.
Stars edged out Ghana 1-0 in their last qualifier last month, reviving their hopes of qualifying for the continental showpiece set for Cameroon mid next year.
We defeated Ghana, we top group F. Wins over Ethiopia on 10th and 14th October will put us in a good position of qualifying, however the incompetent ministry of Sports is sabotaging the process. #WhyAlwaysSportsKe
— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) October 4, 2018
Kenya last qualified for the Afcon 14 years ago when they made the 2004 edition in Tunisia. The win against Ghana renewed hopes of breaking the jinx but with the off the pitch distractions the wait could be longer.
2. After Kenya had beaten Ghana during the 2019 Afcon qualifiers in September, you'd expect all stakeholders to join hands and help Harambee Stars go over Ethiopia and qualify for the Cameroon tournament. But Alas.. #WhyAlwaysSportsKe
— David wa Kwallimwa (@kwalimwadavid) October 4, 2018
The lack of support is not only limited to Harambee Stars; women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, faced a similar predicament before their recent World Championship outing in Japan.
Despite being the pride of most Kenyans, rugby 7s team, Shujaa, have always lamented delayed allowances.
More reactions from Kenyans;
Harambee stars have reached a very crucial stage in qualifications to AFCON. They need maximum support from the Govt. @ministryofsports kindly facilitate the team. @kipmurkomen Kindly push for this #WhyAlwaysSportsKe
— Alex Ngare (@AlexNgare) October 4, 2018
Had a chat a few days ago with one of the many 47 sports waziris in Kenya 😄😄 << you know sports is just to keep these youths busy >>
Can we be sober ? #WhyAlwaysSportsKe
— Ms Quinter Odongo (@Quinter_Odongo) October 4, 2018
Sickening seeing what harambee stars is going through yet just the other day our mps were in Russia to learn about soccer. A youthful mp in the name of @MohaJichoPevu says that stadiums ain't important!!#WhyAlwaysSportsKe
— Wamemchokoza Larky© (@LukeOj) October 4, 2018
Bwana @RashidEchesaCS the energy you use in fighting Mwalala and the Mulembe nation should be channelled to the national teams….They deserve better #WhyAlwaysSportsKe
— Zachary Oguda (@zaxoguda) October 4, 2018
It's 14 years since Kenya last graced the Afcon, there's never been a better time to return than now, to do so Harambee Stars must be supported by all, the government must bring in the resources and it's not a favor. #WhyAlwaysSportsKe
— Bonface Osano (@bonfaceosano) October 4, 2018
It’s sad and sickening how matters football are handled in this country. Just the other day Mps spent taxpayers money to go for some benchmarking in Russia #2018WorldCup today we are told the government can’t support the national team to prepare well for #Afcon #WhyAlwaysSportsKe
— Frank Orinde, PWD♿️ (@FrankOrinde) October 5, 2018
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