Why Sports CS Murkomen wants Sports Act review shelved

Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged the Senate Standing Committee on Labor and Social Welfare to hold on a proposed member’s bill that seeks amendments to the Sports Act 2013.

Instead, Murkomen proposed a more comprehensive set of revisions that would address structural issues in Kenya's sports sector, making it more inclusive and aligned with the devolved structure established by the 2010 Constitution.

Appearing before the committee on Thursday, October 31, Murkomen highlighted significant gaps in the current Sports Act, particularly around the roles and responsibilities of county and national governments.

"The truth is that we have a very inadequate Sports Act that, although drafted after the 2010 Constitution, never fully recognizes the place of counties and devolution in terms of sports," he explained via Citizen TV.

One critical issue he raised is the absence of a clear framework governing sports facility management.

Murkomen referenced a recent stadium construction project in Kwale County as an example, emphasizing that there was little clarity regarding how national and county governments could collaborate effectively on such projects.

To address these gaps, Murkomen revealed that his ministry is preparing a draft of amendments to the Sports Act, which will be ready for Senate review in January.

A major component of this proposal includes establishing sports academies in each county.

The aim is to create an integrated approach to sports and education, allowing young athletes to develop both their physical and intellectual skills.

"Sports and education go together, and in this policy we are working on, we want a collaborative framework. We envision increased funding for sports in primary and high schools, as well as colleges, and we want universities to become centers for sports development," Murkomen stated.

He highlighted that this approach would enable young people to cultivate athletic talent alongside academic skills, providing them with more opportunities for the future.