Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba has called on the judiciary to play a proactive role in safeguarding the wealth of female athletes, many of whom have fallen victim to exploitation by opportunistic spouses
Speaking on Tuesday, November 26, during the unveiling of the Gender Protection and Implementation Committee at Talanta Plaza, Murkomen emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address the financial vulnerabilities of athletes.
He particularly highlighted the growing number of cases where spouses, disguised as managers or coaches, have defrauded female athletes of their hard-earned wealth
«We have to work with the judiciary. There has to be a way to engage the Chief Justice, the judiciary team, and even the Judiciary Training Institute to ensure such cases are handled with urgency,» Murkomen said.
The CS stressed that courts must take judicial notice of such situations, especially when patterns of exploitation are evident
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He expressed frustration with cases where opportunists have taken advantage of female athletes under the guise of marital or professional relationships, only to claim co-ownership of wealth they did not contribute to
«The principle of contribution is not enough in such cases. The courts must recognize these unique circumstances,» he said, adding that several female athletes have personally confided in him about their struggles to reclaim their resources.
The establishment of the Gender Protection and Implementation Committee aims to shield athletes from such predatory behavior.
Murkomen described the initiative as a critical step in ensuring that athletes are not left vulnerable to exploitation.
This move complements ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Sports and Athletics Kenya (AK) to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in sports
By involving various stakeholders, the ministry hopes to create a safer environment for athletes, particularly women.
«It is through such initiatives that we can make our country safe for both our women and men,» the CS stated.
Murkomen reiterated the government’s commitment to combating GBV, a pervasive issue affecting athletes both on and off the field.
In reaction to the troubling increase in gender-based violence (GBV) cases in recent years, Kenya's sports community has come together to deliver a powerful message of unity and commitment to take action with hundreds taking to the streets in Kericho on Friday.
This latest effort signals a broader push to address systemic challenges in Kenyan sports and ensure that athletes, who bring glory to the country, are not left unprotected.