Team Kenya athletes for the CAA Africa Athletics Championships in Nigeria have protested over being paid meager allowances.
Africa javelin champion and record holder Julius “Youtube” Yego raised concern on behalf of the athletes terming their allowances as meager and unacceptable.
Yego raised the issue, before Athletics Kenya (AK) and government officials who had visited the team at their hotel in Nairobi on Monday ahead of their departure to Asaba, Nigeria for the continental championships.
I have taken issue with allowances paid to them while representing the country overseas terming it meagre and not worthy of runners flying the country’s flag. Africa javelin record holder Julius Yego stunned when he raised the allowance issue.
The athletes earn a paltry Sh5,000 (US$50) a day as overseas allowances while on duty for Kenya and Sh1,500 (US$15) when camping in the country.
For the eight days they will be in Asaba, the athletes will earn Sh40,000 (US$400).
“We would rather just represent the country for free than get such despicable and shameful amounts,” Yego said amid a thunderous round of applause from the athletes.
Commissioner for Sports Japson Gitonga revealed that a review of the allowance and reward scheme rates is underway and will be forwarded to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission for ratification and implementation
Gitonga promised that their overseas allowances will be paid by being channeled through their bank accounts by Wednesday next week (August 1st)
Facebook Comments