PETITION: STUDENT ATHLETES V/S KENYA PUBLIC UNIVERSITY.

COMPLAIN: I here underline that:

1. In 2015 (Gwangju City),  Eight (8) students representing Kenya at World University Games were forced to hide their faces in an event that should have been a celebration. The problem as they venomously spit is related to the curse of ‘Mitumba’ and corruption; that they were ill-heartedly forced to hide their faces from public places because they did not have the answers to the obvious question: Which country are you representing? The team did not receive any Uniform for racing or either to wear during the opening ceremony and that they were denied an opportunity to showcase the symbol of love for their country- Kenya (- red- green and black). One student records that she had hoped to represent Kenya and the only reason she had work so hard was to have a jersey with the name ‘Kenya’ and to hold the Flag in a Global arena.  Watch the videos and enjoy the embarrassment of ‘us’ proudly running with Mitumba or folded tops and ‘Mud- Guards’.
2. The travel to participate/ represent (as told by officials) was not a mandate but rather a favour accorded to them by the Universities and that they did not have any right to ask but to appreciate whatever they get. A student recollects an incident of cover -ups and bribery for alleged abuse of funds by the so-called officials and the subsequent intimidation of the students for raising their grievances.
3. There are pending cases regarding students who were enticed to spend their own cash on flights with a promise of reimbursements and as of today, they have never been compensated. Instead they are being shuffled and tossed around with ‘wait’ or being totally ignored. One students recall being told by an official that …wewe unakaa hauelewi Kenya mzuri. There are other sketchy incidences of assault related to dues.
4. Students train or rather use their own facilities while being coached and managed by University hired staff fully paid and funded to oversee the program. One student openly states that she had been competing for the University with the Yellow Uniforms donated by the Former president Moi in 1982 . The same rags are required to be returned to the University after use. The same students report to have been threatened and harassed by the sports administration for openly writing a letter to the University over disrespect and lack of support for the team after going to Tanzania.

I, the undersigned, is a concerned citizen who is urging our leaders to act now to protect students from unnecessary face of embarrassment, abuse and intimidation. I therefore call upon leaders to review the scope under which the term ‘sport’ is bounded and to crack on the network that feasts or rather parties by exploiting Athletes travelling to represent Kenya. It is better to seek donations from citizens and well-wishers to support runners than export our rot.

Yego Kipkosgei.