'We were never stranded' - Kenya's amputee team captain assures amid speculations of being abandoned at airport

The captain of Kenya's women’s national amputee football team Clara Misoi has refuted reports alleging the team was stranded at Frankfurt Airport during their journey back from the inaugural Amputee Football Women’s World Cup (WAFF) in Barranquilla, Colombia.

The team, consisting of 12 players and their coach, placed fourth in the tournament that was held from November 4-10.

Videos circulating on social media claimed the team had been left in a difficult situation and had to rely on Kenyans living in Germany to secure a place to spend the night before continuing their journey to Nairobi.

However, Misoi speaking on Thursday at the Talanta Plaza rooftop in a celebratory luncheon hosted by the ministry of Sports has firmly denied the allegations, stating that all travel arrangements were in place.

“We were never stranded. Tickets were there. That is what I wanted to assure Kenyans. We weren’t left stranded,” Misoi clarified.

Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen supported the captain’s assertion, dismissing the claims as false.

“We will never allow any team representing Kenya to board a flight without the necessary resources provided by the ministry,” Murkomen said, emphasizing that the ministry has stringent guidelines in place to prevent such incidents.

Murkomen further vowed accountability, stating, “If such a situation were to occur, all officials involved would face immediate dismissal.”

The CS also lauded the team for their impressive performance at the World Cup.

Writing on his X account, Murkomen expressed pride in the team’s achievements and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting athletes with special needs.

“The brilliant performance of the Kenya Women’s National Amputee Football Team in the inaugural WAFF World Cup in Barranquilla, Colombia, is a powerful reminder that physical challenges are no barriers to sporting excellence,” Murkomen wrote.

He further pledged to integrate athletes with special needs into talent development programs starting from schools to nurture their potential and enhance Kenya’s standing as a global sports powerhouse.