DCI Probing Alleged Inclusion of Joyriders to the Kenyan Delegation Traveling to the US for World Championships

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has opened a probe into the cause of delayed visas that saw some Kenyan athletes arrive late for the 2022 World Athletics Championship in Oregon, USA.

On Friday, DCI director George Kinoti confirmed that the agency was investigating claims of inclusion of joyriders to the list of athletes, coaches, and technical staff submitted by Athletics Kenya (AK).

It is alleged that the delay in the issuance of US Visas to athletes, among them African 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala, was caused by an inflation of the travel list from 80 persons to 112, according to Nation.

“It is really shocking… this is a shame not to the country but to the whole world... we shall not accept,” said Kinoti as quoted by Nation.

Officials at the State Department of Sports have since denied claims that some joyriders paid up to Sh2 million each in bribes to have their names included in the list.

While referring the matter to Athletics Kenya (AK), Principal Secretary in the State Department of Sports Joe Okudo insisted that no government official traveled to the US for the championships.

Okudo maintained that AK handles all matters pertaining to the World Athletics Championships, adding that the Sports Ministry was only involved when Athletics Kenya sought assistance with Visas after the US Embassy said it needed the government to endorse the delegation.

“All athletes got their visas except Omanyala because some information was not disclosed in his application, which had nothing to do with AK. Omanyala is best placed to answer that,” said Okudo.

Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei said he was not aware of any official who traveled to Oregon other than those cleared by the federation. He indicated that the travel delegation allocation was 80 persons but AK presented a list of 46 athletes and 28 officials at US Embassy for Visa applications.  

“All the athletes were issued with the visas within one week save for Omanyala and Sheila Chepkirui. Some officials were not issued with visas, including myself, owing to the backlog at the embassy. I am not aware of any other list,” said Tuwei.