KBC Channel 1

Author: Maxwell Wasike

  • Mary Moraa wins sensational women’s 800m gold

    Mary Moraa wins sensational women’s 800m gold

    Mary Moraa of Kenya danced with joy as she celebrated a memorable women’s 800m gold at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest on Sunday 27 August.

    The 23-year-old turned the podium from last year’s Worlds in Oregon on its head, with her bronze medal replaced by a shining gold as she ran a personal best time of 1:56.03 to beat off the challenge of defending champion Athing Mu of the USA who came third in 1:56.61 behind Team GB’s silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson (1:56.34 ).

    As she passed the finish line, Moraa leapt into the air punching her fist to celebrate her second major international gold in a year after her victory at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

    Mu, who led from the beginning only to fade in the last 100m and Hodgkinson, who once again won silver after claiming the same medal at Tokyo 2020 and Oregon 22, made up the rest of the podium in Budapest.

    The sheer joy of Moraa was evident for everyone in the stadium to see as she broke out into an impromptu dance on the track – a trademark of hers since her Commonwealth victory – with many Kenyan fans in the stands dancing along with her to celebrate. Even long after the race ended she lay on the floor draped in the Kenyan flag as if she didn’t want this moment to end.

    But few would begrudge any of this joy to Moraa who has risen from a difficult childhood where she grew up as an orphan in a remote area of Kenya to her position now as a world champion.

    This is an athlete who has truly shaken up the world of 800m over the past year, following the meteoric rise of the two 21-year-olds Mu and Hodgkinson threatened to turn the event into a two-person race.

    And with one year to go until Paris 2024, this victory will confirm the brilliance of a new star of the two-lap distance who has taken her considerable talent to the heights of the World stage.

  • Khatri commits supporting talents in Jomvu

    Khatri commits supporting talents in Jomvu

    Mombasa County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri has reiterated his commitment of supporting development of talents in various sporting disciplines in the region especially Jomvu constituency.

    Speaking on Sunday during pre Speaker’s Cup finals that saw PSG from Bangladesh seeing off Mikindani’s Golden Boys at the Bangladesh Playground in Jomvu, Khatri said his office will work with relevant stakeholders in the country to actualize realisation of talents in the area.

    “Participated in the pre Speaker’s Cup finals held at the Bangladesh Playground in Jomvu, before its official launch on September 9th. The event showcased a gripping match between PSG from Bangladesh and Mikindani’s Golden Boys, with the latter clinching victory via penalty kicks. My office is dedicated to nurturing talents by organizing similar events in the future” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.

    His remarks come three days after Jomvu Member of Parliament Badi Twalib said leaders should nurture talents from an early age and help them get exposed so as to gain the requisite experience.

    The third term lawmaker called upon the national government through the Sports ministry to come up with ways of identifying and supporting football teams at the grassroots that produce skilled players.

    “Talent is on the ground. We cannot sit in our offices and expect to spot talents at the grassroots. Let us move down there and see for ourselves the talents Kenyan children have in them,” noted Twalib

    “We pump a lot of money into these tournaments but a week or so after the tournament ends, there is nothing to show for them. We leave the youth on their own and they go back to the streets with nothing to do,” added the legislator popularly known as Kijana Mwepesi Fulungenge

    Gunners FC and 3T Soccer Academy players celebrate at a luncheon hosted by Jomvu MP Badi Twalib/PIC courtesy

    Jomvu produced a team in Gunners FC which was recently crowned champions of the Kuza Talanta tournament that ended on last Sunday at the Burhani Sports Ground.

    According to team head coach Ahmed Salim, lack of football grounds in Mombasa has contributed to the dwindling standards of game in the county.

    Nairobi based 3T Soccer Academy team manager Melchzadek Melchzadek Aluke on his part indicated lack of finances as the greatest challenge for grassroots football.

    “It discourages the young talents and they opt out of football and join gangs. This same favouritism and corruption has brought our football standards down. Our premier league is unattractive and players and sponsors opt to go to Tanzania instead,” Aluke lamented.

    Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababbu Namwamba has maintained his agenda of using the Talanta Hela program of nurturing grassroots talents who form an integral part of the future of various national teams in the country.

    He said his office will work with all the 47 counties to enhance the standards of sports through investment in infrastructure and the establishment of a framework to scout and prop talents to national and global success.

  • Bukhungu Stadium will be complete soon,says Namwamba

    Bukhungu Stadium will be complete soon,says Namwamba

    The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports Ababu Namwamba has emphasized government’s agenda of partnering with Kakamega County administration in fast-tracking the completion of Bukhungu Stadium into state of the art facility as Kenya’s joint bid for hosting of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) intensifies.

    Speaking on Friday during the joint meeting with Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa, the CS noted that President William Ruto’s administration has already prioritised financial support worth Ksh. 2.9 billion towards completion of the project.

    “Cabinet Secretary Hon Ababu Namwamba, EGH today met with the Kakamega County officials led by H.E. Governor Fernandes Barasa, to further discussions on partnership between the national and the county government targeting the completion of the construction of the Bukhungu Stadium.The team agreed on an implementation plan, with the CS assuring the governor of the National Government’s support through injection of Ksh. 2.9 billion to the completion of the project.” read part of the statement by the Ministry of Sports

    Bukhungu Stadium which recently staged Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) national football finals between St Anthony’s Boys Kitale and Dagoretti High plays host to Kenya Premier League side Kakamega Homeboyz in their top tier matches.

    Once complete, Bukhungu Stadium will have other proposed facilities such as a modern swimming pool, two training pitches,team base camp,a commercial affiliate village, referees hotel,FIFA hotel, volunteer centre and media centre.

    “After completion of whole project, we hope to make the stadium commercially viable.Our goal is to attract national and international matches and for the community to benefit when the facility is in use.We hope the good Minister will factor in Bukhungu Stadium in hosting some of the AFCON matches should Pamoja Bid for 2027 sails through” says the area Governor Fernandes Barasa

    Namwamba has maintained the current renovation of various stadia across the country will continue regardless of whether or not Kenya wins the bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

    He said world class sporting facilities are a prerequisite for a country with a rich sporting heritage such as Kenya.

    “We are doing this because Kenya needs international level sporting facilities. We are a sporting nation and you cannot be a proud country with such a sporting degree without the infrastructure to back that. So with or without the Afcon, we are focused on our sports infrastructural development programme,” he affirmed

    In January this year, the former Budalangi Member of Parliament ordered an audit of all stadiums under refurbishment by his ministry, adding that it was shameful that the country was spending millions of money on upgrading stadiums, yet there was no meaningful progress.

  • Genesis Sports Limited and YINGFA Sports sign a partnership deal

    Genesis Sports Limited and YINGFA Sports sign a partnership deal

    Genesis Sports Limited has entered into a business pact with their counterparts from China YingFa Sports Company in deal that will see Kenyan sporting entities accessibly get the merchandise at an affordable cost.

    Following this development,Genesis Sports Limited which is a leading brand in swimwear and swimming accessories will become an authorized distributor of their products in Kenya and East Africa at large.

    According to the company chief agent Bilhah Njunge, the brand is positioning itself as a reputable company seeking to satisfy the needs of sports fans in Kenya and beyond.

    “Just like our name we lead others follow and this is a great milestone for us in having a world class brand in YingFa Sports coming on board to do business with a Kenyan fast-rising company.Ours is renewed strategy of seeking to bridge this gap by offering Kenyans a variety of playing uniforms,exercise equipment, sports wear and other accessories at manageable prices thus inculcating a culture among local fans to be patriotic and supportive towards their local sport thus build development of the game in the country through revenue generation to respective teams involved” she said

    YingFa was established by Chen Jinhui who was a nationally ranked athlete who created the record for backstroke in the 1970s.

    “YingFa is a leading brand in swimwear and swimming accessories and widely used by professional swimmers for training and competition. Our founder Chen Jinhui having a former national athlete, he understands the different requirements of each athlete from any level” a brief statement on their website read.

    Genesis Sports Limited focuses to promote sports training and development locally by making sports accessible to many through provision of top quality and affordable sports equipment and wear.

  • CS Nakhumicha launch Polio vaccination campaign in Kiambu County

    CS Nakhumicha launch Polio vaccination campaign in Kiambu County

    Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha S. Wafula on Thursday presided over the launch of Polio vaccination exercise in a concerted effort aimed at combating the resurgence of disease, in line with collaborative partnership involving the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Ministry.

    The development comes days after the Ministry of Health announced the Polio vaccination campaign across ten hotspot counties which has officially kicked off today in Kiambu,ahead of spread into other areas including Kajiado, Garissa, Kitui, Machakos, Tana River among others.

    Speaking during the event in Ruiru sub-county, Nakhumicha urged parents to be vigilant and ensure their children get polio vaccine to protect against polio, or poliomyelitis, as part of the series of routine childhood vaccines.

    “I have today launched the first round of the Polio vaccination campaign at the Ruiru Sub County Hospital, Kiambu county. The campaign, which will run in the four counties of Kiambu,Kajiado, Nairobi and Garissa, targets about 1.8 million children under the age of five years.” she said

    “Polio is a serious disease that can cause paralysis, disability and even loss of life. I urge all Kenyans to be vigilant and ensure all children under the age of five have received the polio jab. Together, let’s protect our future generations” added the CS who further reiterated government’s commitment of supporting county administrations in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

    Health CS Nakhumicha S. Wafula together with Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi

    Despite Kenya’s previous declaration as a polio-free nation, recent cases have emerged due to cross-border movements from neighbouring countries, necessitating urgent action.

    In a bid to reach unvaccinated individuals and ensure the eradication of polio, the campaign is strategically focusing on high-risk regions and strengthening routine immunization.

    UNICEF emphasized that eradicating polio is paramount, and routine immunization is crucial to achieving this goal. The recent developments underscore the importance of addressing vaccination gaps and ensuring every child is protected.

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Kenya reported two polio cases from Hagadera refugee camp, the second largest refugee camp in the world and home to over 100, 000 refugees.

    Globally, tremendous improvement has been made in Polio eradication since its inception in 1988.

  • Linda Mali Safi Initiative to involve sports competitions in Kiandutu

    Linda Mali Safi Initiative to involve sports competitions in Kiandutu

    Multiple sporting activities will be on display during the first edition of Linda Mali safi Initiative Talent Show which is scheduled for Saturday 26 at the Two in one plaza Kiandutu, Thika in Kiambu County.

    Amongst the sports disciplines which will be on offer in an event which has attracted significant interest from the locals include boxing, karate, football,tug of war among others.

    According to the event organisers led by entrepreneur Andrew Maina,the activity is geared towards carrying out sensitisation and enlightenment programs amongst the youth in a bid to tame HIV infection,teens pregnancy, Sexual Gender-Based violence (SGBV) and violence against children (VAC).

    “We are using sporting competitions during this function to help bring many young people on board to help actualize our intentions of fighting these rampant vices in our society. We want clean families devoid of involvement in crime related activities like drug dbuse besides engaging in unwanted activities such early pregnancies which in turn lead to the school drop-outs among other ills” Maina,a renowned author was quoted.

    Maina while remaining  optimistic that the games will be interesting to watch as they seek achieving their sole purpose of involving sports in the event further called upon more youth to register for various competitions based on their interest.

    “Last time a few years ago I organised a beach volleyball tournament on the improvised sand in 14 Falls lodge and the event attracted huge participation including many talents and this one of Kiandutu won’t be an exception. So I urge the local stakeholders of the game to grace these games and spot a few talents for their respective clubs/teams” added the soft-spoken Maina

    According to statistics, crime in Kiandutu, one of the biggest and riskiest slums in Kiambu County had dropped drastically since the launch of youth involvement in various sports and Kazi Mtaani programmes in the area as the youths can earn and stay engaged.

  • Barasa lauds FKF for the coaching course initiative

    Barasa lauds FKF for the coaching course initiative

    Kenya Police head coach, Francis Baraza has applauded the Football Kenya Federation’s efforts to train coaches at all levels from all across the country.

    During an interview held after completion of the CAF A refresher course, coach Baraza reflected on the changes that have been witnessed in football, “I am grateful to FKF President for his efforts towards ensuring coaches are properly trained, we are surprised on how football has evolved, football has become like a science there are things been taught now that we didn’t know initially but right now we are able to see the difference”

     He continued by reflecting on the impact of refreshing the coaching knowledge to football in the country.

     “If we pick what we’ve learned and take that information to the players I believe that our football will get back to level it was in before.” He continued.

    FKF has made an intentional effort to ensure coaches are well equipped with the proper knowledge by ensuring that coaching courses are regularly offered this is in a bid to ensure the level of football in the country is elevated

  • Kitayama:An injustice to boarder communities is an injustice to all

    Kitayama:An injustice to boarder communities is an injustice to all

    Kuria East Member of Parliament Marwa Kitayama has urged the government to use its authority in combating the invasion of the Kenyan boarder communities by the neighboring militants.

    Speaking on Tuesday in Parliament during the petition presented by Loima Member of Parliament Protus Akuja, the United Democratic Alliance lawmaker said that peace amongst the boarder residents is paramount and should be prioritised for the wellbeing of the region.

    “An injustice to any community that lives along the boarder is an injustice to all of us,the Kuria people live both sides of the boarder of Kenya and Tanzania.What our brothers are going through is not unique because we have been suffering the same for the very long time the only difference is that we have been able to find a way of living with this injustice and talking to the leadership of Tanzanian side so that our people can get justice so quickly.This is not to say that the good people of Turkana and Pokot should continue suffering from these inhumane acts in a manner that can’t be handled by the government which is capable of doing that” he said.

    Akuja was tabling a petition following a move that saw saw 32 Kenyans sentenced
    to 20 years each in prison by the Ugandan court martial for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.

    In April this year,the Turkana herders from Orum in Lodwar were convicted after pleading guilty and sentenced to serve jail terms in Moroto Government Prison in Northern Uganda.

    According to Kitayama who is a member of the Petitions committee, the current administration should intervene to tame the escalating attacks on its people.

    “Kenya is a regional leader in terms of peaceful building within the continent as we’ve done alot in stabilizing tranquility in several countries and for that reason it would appear unfair when we appear weak when our own is attacked.As a member of Petitions committee, I want to assure my brothers and sisters from Turkana county that we will give this matter the utmost urgency it requires.We have the International Boundaries Alignment Committee which should intervene to avert diplomatic tiff between concerned countries because land is an emotive factor of production” added Kitayama

    Last month, Kenya delayed reopening its border with neighbouring Somalia because of a “wave of attacks” it blamed on the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group according to Interior Cabinet Secretary Professor Kithure Kindiki.

    “The government will delay the planned phased-out reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border points to facilitate comprehensive and conclusive handling of the recent wave of terror attacks and cross-border crime,” Kindiki wrote on Twitter.

    The first two decades of Kenya’s independence were characterised by efforts to find diplomatic harmony and peace with her neighbours. But there were also moments when rivalry and suspicions took a dangerous twist that left East African nations on the brink of war with each other.

  • Ligi Ndogo U15s triumphed over MOFA to win East Africa Cup

    Ligi Ndogo U15s triumphed over MOFA to win East Africa Cup

    The Ligi Ndogo U15 team clinched the East Africa tournament after edging the Michael Olunga Football Academy 4-3 on post-match penalties at the Nairobi Polo Club over the weekend.

    Ligi Ndogo had to confirm their win from the spot after wrestling MOFA to a barren draw inside regular time.

    The tournament, which attracted a record-breaking 231 teams this year, featured renowned teams from across East Africa, including the defending champions Teletubbies Kids League (TKL) from Uganda and Future Stars from Tanzania.

    Teletubbies Kids League dominated the under-7s and under-11s categories, while Future Stars fielded teams in three different categories.

    With over 1000 young football players from various countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Ligi East Africa tournament has become a platform for nurturing young talent and promoting football development in the region.

    This year’s event did not solely focus on football as fostering international collaboration in both sports and education was also on the menu.

    The tournament teamed up with the America’s Woburn Youth Soccer Association (WYSA) to launch the Boots and Books program, a groundbreaking initiative that will bring together children from Kenya and the USA to enhance soccer skills and academic prowess.

    Under this program, children from WYSA will donate gently-used books and outgrown soccer boots, which are then distributed to participants of the Ligi Ndogo East Africa tournament.

    Chris Amimo, the Tournament Director, expressed delight with the new heights the tournament was hitting and emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for young players to showcase their skills and pursue their dreams of becoming professional football stars.

    He highlighted Ligi Ndogo’s commitment to organizing countrywide tournaments as well.

  • Otula,Weru rally behind CS Namwamba amid politicians’ criticism

    Otula,Weru rally behind CS Namwamba amid politicians’ criticism

    The local sports stakeholders have continued to stand firm behind Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports Ababu Namwamba in the wake of condemnation by politicians allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA),an affiliate wing of the ruling administration.

    According to the Kenya Basketball Federation President Paul Otula, Namwamba has performed his mandate of advocating for the development of the game in the country with distinction and allegations by the legislators of both houses are unsubstantiated.

    “We have a CS who is player-oriented and all the ministry policies are aimed at empowering an athlete who form an Integral part of the sport. Unless people don’t have eyes because CS Ababu Namwamba has been consultative with all the local stakeholders of the game and all the critical decisions in governance of our sports have not been a one-man army but through a collection of views by the majority. Our MPs and Senators should continue with their oversight work without necessarily involving sideshows and innuendos which will ultimately derail the workman spirit of growing the game.When he took over he warned everyone against misappropriation of government funds in stadia construction and even during local and international championships and since then everything has been in order.Objective castigation is positive but on this one the CS should be left to steer the sports wheel which he has done well so far” noted the long serving sports stakeholder

    His sentiments were reiterated by the Kenya Sports Coaches Association led by their Chairperson David Weru who lauded Namwamba for establishing the Talanta Hela project, a flagship plan to monetize talents in sports and the creative industry.

    He said that since the creation of the program in line with the government’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda,several talents across the country especially from the just concluded Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) national games in Kakamega, have been recruited and exposed to the outside world.

    “The CS reflected on how we had performed as a country over the years hence need for thinking outside the box.Courtesy of this project which has seen its competent honchos work with the education system to identify schools that will act as academies and nurture certain sports,the local game is blossoming.This is a program which will continue seeing our young lads and ladies get upbrought and rewarded heavily through talent development mechanisms deployed in place by the Ministry of Sports.As part of the implementation of the project, the government has renamed Kenya Academy of Sports to the Kenya Academy of Sports and Arts to accommodate the creative industry” Weru who also doubles up as the Kenya Rugby Union Regional Development Officer for the Nairobi Metropolitan Region remarked.

    Under Namwamba’s tenure,Kenya’s ban from global football was lifted by world governing body FIFA in November last year after the suspension had been imposed on the East African nation following move by the former Jubilee government disbanded the country’s football federation (FKF) over alleged misappropriation of funds and appointed a caretaker committee in November 2021.

    “On my day one in office today, I engaged FIFA on the phone to commence the process of resolving the impasse that has seen Kenya banned by the world football governing body. Government is committed to returning Kenyan football to normalcy in sync with the rule of law and public good,” posted Namwamba in October last year after taking over the mantle from Ambassador Dr Amina Mohamed

    As a result of this development, Kenyan teams and clubs returned to the international stage with Kakamega Homeboyz and Vihiga Queens setting the season in motion with convincing performances at the Caf Confederation Cup and the Cecafa Caf qualifier, respectively.

    During last week’s Parliamentary sitting on Thursday, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa expressed disappointment over how the ministry has ignored Kenyan athletes when they record stellar performances during international competitions.

    Ichung’wah said it is appalling to see teams jetting back into the country yet no one from the Sports ministry bothers to celebrate or receive them.

    The former Budalangi Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee has already written to the National Assembly and the Senate requesting to be summoned to clear the air on the accusations levelled against his ministry.