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President Ruto dismissed all Cabinet Secretaries, including Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, just hours after Ababu had a crucial conversation with Harambee Stars head coach Firat.
On Thursday afternoon, President William Ruto shocked the nation by dismissing all Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney General with immediate effect, leaving only Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi unaffected.
The sweeping move marked a significant shift in the Kenyan government, with Principal Secretaries now expected to oversee the ministries until new appointments are made.
Among those affected was Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, whose abrupt dismissal came just hours after a pivotal conversation with Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat.
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18:40 - 11.07.2024
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Namwamba, a seasoned politician and former Budalangi Member of Parliament, had returned to the sports docket for a second term on September 27, 2022.
His previous tenure in 2012 was marked by significant achievements, including the enactment of the Sports Act 2013, which led to the establishment of several key sports institutions.
However, his recent term was fraught with challenges and criticisms, despite efforts to foster talent through initiatives like the Talanta Hela program.
In a conversation with Harambee Stars head coach Firat, less than 78 hours before his dismissal, Namwamba passionately discussed the future of Kenyan football.
Firat expressed his thoughts on the potential of player Amos Wanjala, highlighting the need for strong central defenders.
"And I would even say Amos Wanjala made a good impression," Firat noted.
"You know, coach, when you are having difficulties with central defenders, I had actually mentioned Amos and recommended that he be invited to come," Namwamba responded.
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17:16 - 11.07.2024
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Firat went on to discuss the young composition of the team.
"I also put the squad together, and you see we have a really young team. We have around 15 players who are under 26," the gaffer said.
Firat lamented the lack of resources for coaches across various sports disciplines.
"We have so many coaches in every sport who want to be coached but don't have any chance to get the information. If we have something like, you are online anyway, you are everywhere," Firat said.
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15:10 - 11.07.2024
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Kenyan representatives at the CAF Champions League received a relatively fair draw, facing a manageable opponent in the preliminary round.
Namwamba wholeheartedly supported this idea, recognizing the potential of digital platforms to democratize access to coaching resources.
"Absolutely. Kenyans want to ensure that in 2027, they will not just be there to participate ( in Africa Cup of Nations), they want to be there to compete. And you don't just wake up and compete," he affirmed, promising his full support to elevate Kenyan sports to a competitive global level.
"In this, you have my 110% support. Let's take Kenya to the top," Namwamba concluded.
However, there will be no vacuum in the Ministry of Sports, with Principal Secretary Peter Tum taking over the supervision until new appointments are officially made.
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06:49 - 11.07.2024
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Namwamba's departure leaves a significant void given his previous contributions to the sports sector and his efforts to publish a comprehensive list of participants for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
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