Sports CS Murkomen responds to Winfred Yavi switching allegiance to Bahrain

Newly appointed Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has come out in defense of Kenyan-born athletes running for other countries abroad, stressing that they should “not be picked on or ostracized.”

Murkomen, who was speaking during the flagging off of 22 athletes for the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, was visibly disturbed by the online barrage from Kenyans following Winfred Yavi’s win at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Yavi, a Kenyan-born Bahraini, took gold in the women’s 3000m steeplechase event, causing many Kenyan citizens to question why she was running for another country, while others singled her out for being a ‘sell-out’ who chose money over her nation.

That was despite Yavi making her situation known, saying that she switched her allegiance after failing to secure a spot for Team Kenya due to “failures and stiff competition” in national trials.

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Speaking on the issue, Murkomen said: “We all know Kenya is not an easy place to qualify. The nature of competition has led to a situation where some of our athletes have chosen to either live in or run for other countries.

“For the avoidance of doubt as the Sports CS, we have no problem with any Kenyan who chooses to run, or live in another nation.”

In response to the criticism Yavi faced online, the former Transport CS said “It was not the first time athletes changed allegiance”, mentioning his former St. Patrick’s High School mate Wilson Kipketer (Denmark), Lornah Kiplagat (Netherlands), Bernard Lagat (USA), Steven Cherono (Qatar) and Paul Chelimo (USA) as some of the past athletes who relocated and ran for other nations.

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“Athletes going to look for other opportunities abroad should be treated the same way as the country exports labor abroad. They should not be picked on or ostracized,” Murkomen said. “Therefore our sister Yavi has all our support for the country she is running for.”

Murkomen, who also promised a thorough inspection of the three stadiums undergoing renovation in the country, however, gave a warning to the Kenyan-born athletes running for other countries.

“We will allow you to go and run out there but I am assuring you that we (Kenya) will beat you,” he said.

Team Kenya to Lima

Men

Stephen Ndangiri KIHU 10,000mRace Walk

Andrew Kiptoo ALAMISI 5000m

Koech KIBIWOTT 1500m

Josphat KIPKIRUI 1500m

Denis KIPKOECH 3000m

Ishmael Rokitto KIPKURUI 5000m

Kelvin Kimutai KOECH 800m

Phanuel Kipkosgei KOECH 800m

Matthew KOSGEI 3000m

Clinton Kimutai NGETICH 3000m

Edmund SEREM 3000m SC

Women

Diana CHEPKEMOI 3000 SC

Mercy CHEPKEMOI 3000m

Sharon CHEPKEMOI 3000m

Sheila JEBET 5000m

Janet JEPKEMOI 800m

Marion JEPNGETICH 3000m

Miriam Chemutai KIBET 1500m

Mary Nyaboke OGWOKA 1500

Sarah MORAA 800 Metres