Gov't to engage SRC to review national teams allowances

• The Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi said the current rates for allowances paid to all athletes representing Kenya at different sporting events are determined by the SRC as required by law.

Harambee Stars players being briefed after a training session in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo/Handout.

The government has disclosed intentions of engaging the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to review the allowances for players in the national teams as part of bolstering their morale and enhancing their welfare.

The Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi said the current rates for allowances paid to all athletes representing Kenya at different sporting events are determined by the SRC as required by law.

The PS was speaking on Friday in Kandara town, Murang’a County during a public engagement exercise with residents and leaders.

The PS however said that the Ministry was open to constructive engagement with stakeholders especially the men’s National Team, Harambee Stars, through the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to engage the SRC on possibilities of reviewing the allowances upwards.

“All the allowances we pay to athletes are authorised by the SRC. Whenever the need arises to review the allowances, we engage the commission with the request and wait for their approval,” he explained.

The PS disclosed that the ministry had moved to resolve the issues of allowances for the Harambee Stars; explaining that the government often stepped in settle such outstanding issues if the federation’s processed were hampered by delays.

He also said that the process of requisition money for payment was done in strict compliance with the law; a factor that could contribute to understandable delays in settling any outstanding claim.

“The process of requesting for money from treasury is elaborate and needs verifications which might cause delays but once the money comes, we pay promptly,” he said.

While wishing Harambee Stars success in their match against Eritrea on Saturday, the PS urged Kenyans to come out in their numbers to support the national team.

He further called for players representing the country in any sport to uphold the highest level of patriotism and honour. He termed the donning of the national colours as the highest pride any athlete would aspire for.

“Even when we have issues that we need addressed, we should put the nation first. It’s the highest level of patriotism and honour to don on the national colours and represent the country in any event,” he added.