Eldoret: Interior and National Administration CS, Kipchumba Murkomen, has defended Kenya’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, amid doping allegations raised by a section of critics. The CS dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the Government has been transparent in the fight against doping, adding that the claims lacked merit.
According to Kenya News Agency, Murkomen emphasized that the issue has surfaced because Kenya is committed to addressing doping concerns and does not conceal any wrongdoing. He highlighted the Government’s ongoing efforts to crack down on pharmacists involved in doping-related activities. Murkomen was speaking in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, during a breakfast launch of the Mashujaa Day Sporting Tournament, an event featuring football, volleyball, athletics, and basketball for both men and women across the three co-hosting counties of Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Nandi.
The tournament will kick off at the ward level on 26 September, with the Inter-County Finals scheduled for 19th October for volleyball and 20th October for football. The Iten Marathon is set for 18th October. A total of Sh 63 million is allocated for the competitions. Murkomen assured that the organizers have implemented measures to ensure only eligible players participate, resources are utilized properly, and cheating is prevented.
‘A total of up to Sh 60 million will go directly into the pockets of participants. We are determined to ensure that this happens all the way to the grassroots level,’ Murkomen stated, underscoring the commitment to supporting participants at all levels. He also mentioned the establishment of an ICT system to prevent cheating and reiterated that professional players would not be allowed to participate.
Murkomen detailed the prize distribution, announcing that at the ward level, winners would receive Sh50,000, second place Sh25,000, third place Sh15,000, and fourth place Sh10,000. At the Sub-county level, the first position will receive Sh200,000, second Sh150,000, third Sh100,000, and fourth Sh50,000. For the finals in Uasin Gishu, the winner will receive Sh1 million, the runner-up Sh750,000, third place Sh500,000, and fourth place Sh300,000.
He added that officials organizing the tournament had been relieved of their regular public service duties and would not receive allowances from the prize money, as a measure to prevent resource wastage. The launch event was attended by Governors Jonathan Bii, Wisley Rotich, and Stephen Sang, Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea, several MPs, County Speakers, County Commissioners, and MCAs, among other leaders.
