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{
"id": 80027,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/80027/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Kabando wa Kabando",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports",
"speaker": {
"id": 31,
"legal_name": "Kabando wa Kabando",
"slug": "kabando-kabando"
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"content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on Thursday, 28th October, 2010, the Member for Machakos Town, Dr. Munyaka, rose on a point of order and sought a Ministerial Statement from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on one, the circumstances under which football fans died and others were injured as they waited to enter Nyayo Stadium to watch a match between Gor Mahia and the AFC Leopards football clubs. Two, what plans the Ministry has to assist victims with burial expenses and treatment for the injured. Three, he wanted to know the Government position on the recent ban by Football Kenya Limited officials of all football tournaments on both the Nyayo Stadium and the City Stadium. Four, he wanted us to state if the ban will be sustained. Dr. Munyaka further required the Minister to state alternative playing grounds for the incoming premier matches and other international games, including field events like athletics which take place in Nyayo Stadium. He also asked, if the Government does not agree to the ban by Football Kenya Limited what urgent steps will be taken against the rogue officials of the FKL. Before I read the Ministerial Statement, I would wish to request your indulgence to inform the House that I have just come from the requiem mass of the five young people, including the girl and the two young men, who died because of the disaster ensuing from the crash at the gate. It was really a sad day when these young heroes died from circumstances that could have been avoided. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would wish to state the following: The Government of the Republic of Kenya, and the entire public, is deeply saddened and very concerned by the unfortunate incident that happened at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, 23rd October, 2010 during the match between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards in which seven Kenyans lost their lives. I do not want to speculate on the circumstances under which the fans died, but as you are already aware His Excellency the President and the Right Hon. Prime Minister have already ordered investigations into the sad incident, and it is in our best interests to patiently wait for the outcome of comprehensive investigations. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we in the Ministry have already condoled with the families, relatives and friends of the fans who lost their lives during the incident. In view of this, the Ministry, through the Sports Stadia Management Board, has, on compassionate grounds, given each family Kshs30,000 to assist in burial arrangements. The money has been given to the next of kin, and a lot of other stakeholders met yesterday and did also contribute towards this need. In addition, the Ministry followed up on those who were injured and ensured that they were treated and discharged from hospital. I would like to acknowledge and appreciate the role played by Kenyatta National Hospital management in this regard and also the role played by the Prime Minister of following up on the families of the deceased. On the Governmentâs position towards the recent ban by FKL of all football tournaments in City Stadium and Nyayo Stadium, it is unfortunate that FKL had to issue such misleading instructions while they do not have legal powers to do so. Whereas the FKL may have a right to ban their teams from holding events in any stadium, they do not have any legal mandate to ban any stadium in this country, which is, obviously, not owned by them. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, hon. Members may, however, wish to note that my Ministry welcomes recommendations and suggestions from stakeholders on any improvement at both Nyayo and City Stadiums as well as other playing fields. I want to reiterate that no stadium is banned from being used for all the incoming football premier matches and other games, including athletics, volleyball, handball, netball, basketball, swimming and so on. I, therefore, call upon the entire sports fraternity and stakeholders to liaise with the Sports Stadia Management Board and organize their events on these stadia, as we try to improve where there is a problem. With regard to the steps to be taken against FKL officials â I am happy that the Right Hon. Prime Minister is in the House â hon. Members may recall my earlier indication in this House on 26th October, 2010. My Ministry is in contact with FIFA, who have indicated willingness to support the Ministryâs effort to ensure democratic, fair, transparent and just elections with grassroots participation within the next three months. This will bring legitimacy and ownership of sports in this country, hence deal with the question of illegitimacy in football leadership in this country once and for all. In the event that FIFA does not submit its concurrence to the best interests of soccer in this country within the said period, my Ministry is ready to act swiftly, so that rogue organs cannot, and are not permitted to mess up the game of football in Kenya."
}