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{
    "id": 1354061,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1354061/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 340,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Namwamba",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 108,
        "legal_name": "Ababu Tawfiq Pius Namwamba",
        "slug": "ababu-namwamba"
    },
    "content": "this. While I may not give the exact number of foreign athletes in the country, within 30 days after the conclusion of the ongoing exercise, I will provide this information to Sen. Kisang and the House. I am glad that we have included a cross-government effort to include the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). I have also provided information regarding the time and seasons you expect these athletes in the country. Athletics are seasonal. From the foregoing, it is important to appreciate that the peak session of foreign athletes in Kenya is between January and March, according to the mapping of the seasons. Segment (c) requires me to clarify whether foreign athletes are registered and indicate the type of visa granted to them. The process of mapping, registration and monitoring is ongoing. We have brought a structure to that space and provided sufficient resources to help us manage that space. We will indicate the exact status as soon as we conclude this exercise. Foreign athletes who come to our country are typically issued tourist visas, as their stay is temporary and seasonal. After the tourist visa is granted, a license is supposed to be issued. We have had this issue because this space has not been well governed. This is something we are fixing. We also intend to make changes to the policy and legal framework by taking a fresh look at the law to manage this space better as Kenya becomes more attractive to foreign agents and athletes. Segment (d) is on the exchange between local and foreign athletes using Kenyan training camps and ensuring our visitors do not overshadow local talent. Hon. Members, to ensure that knowledge exchange occurs between local and foreign athletes using Kenyan training camps and to prevent the overshadowing of local talent, the Ministry undertakes to invest in licensing, making sure collaboration between the camps, the Kenya Academy of Sports, the State Department of Immigration and education institutions where a lot of our athletes are domiciled. We are also developing policy guidelines on this whole area of camps, reviewing the Sports Act and the National Sports Policy to manage that whole eco-system better. However, I can say that even now there is a very symbiotic relationship between our local athletes and foreign athletes. We have had some really top level elite athletes such as Mo Farah training here with us. Definitely, there is benefit for the two sets of athletes training together. Besides the fact that under our sports safari project where we are using sports to promote tourism, this also helps to market our country and attract increased number of visitors promoting areas such as Elgeyo Marakwet and other parts of the country to the outside world. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I submit."
}