Deaf athletes decry delayed payment

Deaf athletes are calling on the Deaf Athletics Association of Kenya (DAAK) to disburse their monies after they won the country medals on several occasions.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport during their training session at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, the athletes pointed out that despite their impressive performances on different stages, their hard-earned money was yet to hit their accounts.

Obed Kipruto Sum who won the 3,000m steeplechase in Kasarani and took home bronze in the 2019 African Championship noted that the DAAK administration was failing them despite their efforts.

“We have come here to complain to the administration of DAAK for failing to pay us. Everytime we ask for money, we are told that there is no money, yet we won the country gold. We won in Africa, and there is no law that says that we should not be paid,” he said.

Jacob Kibet, 3,000m gold medallist in the African Championships in Kasarani called on vintage DAAK leaders to advise them on the way forward, noting that the current administration turned a blind eye on them everytime they asked for their money.

“They want to host championships in Kenya, while we have not paid our dues for the previous one. We are calling upon the older leaders of Athletics Kenya or the retired ones to advise us because the leaders that are in office are very corrupt,” he urged.

2021 5,000m silver medallist in Poland, David Kipkogei who also competed in Brazil last year called for fresh elections for the deaf community to elect their preferred leaders.

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“We as the deaf community are calling for fresh elections so that we elect good leaders with experience. I went to run in Poland in 2021, won gold, but I was not given anything. I competed in Brazil last year, but the leaders of the Deaf Athletics Association of Kenya are very corrupt. They lie to us, they oppress us,” he complained.

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According to Daniel Kiptum who won gold in the African Athletics Championships, all their requests and pleas to their administration fell on deaf ears.

"I competed in the African Athletics, won gold, but I have not been paid. We have tried going to DAAK offices, but we are told not yet."

Grancy Kendagor, the 10,000m bronze medallist in Brazil last year, highlighted the fact that the deaf athletes too needed to get their life going, and the money would help them pay their bills."

“I do not have money to get my life going. I have kids, rent to pay, and we have not received this money,” he concluded.