Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum is facing public outrage after shocking reports emerged of his ministry spending Ksh1 billion on international consultancies and another Ksh352 million on regional consultancies, all in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Kenyans are fuming, questioning how these funds could have been better used to build stadiums and sports academies.
For the 2023/24 financial year, the Sports Ministry was allocated Ksh1.5 billion to develop 30 stadiums across the country – yet instead of progress, consultancy fees seem to have taken the lion’s share.
On October 15, Blogger Maverick Aoko via her X handle blew the whistle on the spending spree, accusing Tum and his team of openly defying President William Ruto’s directive against hiring private consultants.
Sports PS Peter Tum in his office in Nairobi. Photo: The Star Source: Facebook
“Ruto said no private consultancies, but these guys just don’t care. They are spending billions while stadiums lie incomplete,” Aoko wrote on social media.
Also, Kenyans online were quick to express their frustration, with many calling out Tum’s inner circle, which includes Health PS Peter Kimtai, Education PS Belio Kipsang, Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo, and Athletics Kenya’s Jackson Tuwei.
The group, sarcastically dubbed “Ali Babaz” by outraged citizens, has been accused of plundering public resources with impunity.
Others lamented that the billions wasted could have completed sports facilities desperately needed by young athletes across the country.
Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum. Photo: Maverick Aoko Source: X
The public is now anxiously waiting to see how President Ruto will respond, with many demanding urgent action to end what they call blatant theft.
“We can’t let them get away with this,” another frustrated Kenyan tweeted. “Enough is enough!
Elsewhere, the nation is eargerly awaiting to see if the Supreme court will today rule in the favour of Deputy President Hon Rigathi Gachagua or in the favour of his accusers ahead of much anticipated debate tomorrow.
