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{
    "id": 1372755,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1372755/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 327,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Oketch Gicheru",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "In fact, as a House, we do have the power to change the lives of sportsmen and women in this country. I will not limit it to athletes because the way sportsmen and women have been treated in this country is not good at all. The kind of grace, honour, and glory that these sportspeople bring to this country is a big treasure and achievement that VIP treatment is an understatement. I do not think the concept should only be about security and protection of their Bill of Rights under Chapter Four of the Constitution. We should also appreciate the fact that they lift us on the global map to the extent that they deserve a lot more benefits. If you remember, in 1968, Kipkeino brought us a wonderful medal, taking it from a very serious American during the Summer Olympics in Mexico City. To date, apart from a million jobs that have been given to Kipkeino as a way of charity, there has not been serious protection and support to him. The other day I watched Eliud Kipchoge running the sub-two marathon, although unofficial, the sense of pride that he brought to the world and the inspiration he brought to young people--- I am speaking as a young person seeing such a young man die compared to the feeling I had when Eluid Kipchoge ran the sub-two hours Marathon. To date, he has been left to the small wealth that he might have acquired which Kenya did not participate in giving him. It is from the competitions that he gathered his wealth. Samuel Wanjiru has been mentioned in this House. Last year, Ms. Faith Kipyegon did a wonderful double and won gold medals to this country. The greatest honor that she gets is being invited to Jeff Koinange (JK) Live to be celebrated. However, there is nothing else in her name. As we speak, the country cannot forget one young man called Dennis Oliech. In 2002, he single-handedly took this country as a captain to Council of East and Central African Football Association (CECAFA). He made us win. He, through his own earnings, motivated the team and took us to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004. If you look at his life today in a country that has a President, Senators and Members of Parliament (MPs), my heart bleeds for him. He has been left out as if he has never contributed anything to this country. I come from Migori County where young people cherish sports. Sports unite us. In the lake region, the place where you can enjoy good soccer is Migori County. Migori Youth Academy was where a young man called Abdi Aziz started from nothing. Abdi Aziz was a young man who was simply an M-Pesa attendant. He built a team that was a second league in this country. They almost qualified for the premier league. We have a young man called Ouma in that team whom nobody gives the opportunity to excel. I appeal to us as MPs; the political class cannot continue being selfish to the extent that they enjoy 100 or 50 policemen to some extent, amazing vehicles and retirement packages yet these young people are suffering in this country trying to make life for themselves. Look at Lupita Ny’ong’o, a wonderful young lady from the Lake region who participated in the creative industry and became the first to be recognised with serious awards when she did the 12 Years a Slave movie. All that she gets in this country is simple glory by being invited to a few interviews here and there. We need to change our mindset. As I finish in two seconds, I am going to invite my friend Sen. Cherarkey."
}