Kenya’s sporting sector has once again found itself at the center of debate after Suba South Member of Parliament Caroli Omondi raised concerns about the way cash rewards are being issued to athletes. His remarks came shortly after President William Ruto announced financial gifts to Harambee Stars players following their recent victory.
While the move was celebrated by some Kenyans as a show of appreciation, Omondi cautioned that such gestures could create confusion if they are not supported by a clear and transparent system.
Speaking during an interview with a Luo dialect station, the legislator explained that no one is against rewarding athletes for their hard work, but the manner in which the rewards are handled matters.
According to him, Kenyans need to know whether the money comes from state resources, private donors, or personal contributions from leaders.
He noted that when figures such as Ksh2.5 million are mentioned without clarification, it raises questions about accountability. In his words, there should be order in how the country recognizes and motivates its sportsmen and women.
Omondi emphasized that Kenya should not focus on football alone but rather embrace all sports equally. He pointed out that athletes in disciplines such as athletics, rugby, basketball, and volleyball often deliver international victories but do not enjoy the same level of recognition and financial support.
Suba North MP Caroli Omondi. Photo Courtesy.
This, he said, creates an imbalance that undermines the growth of other sporting talents. For him, a structured framework for rewards would not only protect athletes but also ensure fairness in how different sports are treated.
His comments have come at a time when conversations about sports funding in Kenya are intensifying. Many observers have long argued that football tends to receive more attention than other sports, yet athletes in track and field events, for example, continue to bring home global medals with minimal backing.
This uneven distribution of support has left many stakeholders calling for reforms in how government and institutions approach sports development.
The recent pledge by President Ruto to gift Harambee Stars millions sparked a divided reaction online. Some Kenyans welcomed the gesture as a morale booster that would inspire the players to perform better. Others, however, questioned whether one-off cash handouts are sustainable or whether the money could be better spent on long-term investments such as training facilities, grassroots programs, and athlete welfare.
Analysts believe that Omondi’s remarks could help shift the discussion toward building a more transparent and structured policy for rewarding athletes.
Such a policy would ensure that support is not dependent on political goodwill but instead embedded in a system that values accountability and fairness.
This brings to light a larger issue about the direction of sports in the country. Kenya faces the challenge of balancing the excitement of symbolic gestures with the practical need for consistent and organized development. For many, the call now is not only for celebration when teams win but also for investment in structures that give all sports disciplines an equal chance to thrive.
