Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi was on Friday, February 10, appointed as a member of the new Talanta Hela Council in a raft of appointments made by Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba.
Itumbi, a long-standing close aide of President William Ruto, and ten other members will serve under the council chaired by CS Namwamba for three years.
According to the Gazette Notice dated Friday, February 10, the council was created in line with President William Ruto’s directive to nurture sporting talents.
Itumbi and his colleague members of the council were tasked with, among other roles, formulating policies for the Talanta Hela Initiative and reviewing progress made in implementing the set agenda.
"Following the Presidential pronouncement on December 12 2022, of Government plans to revitalise Sports and the Creative Economy through the revolutionary Talanta Hela initiative, the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports has established Talanta Hela Council and its Technical Committees for Sports and the Creatives,”
Principal Secretary in the Department of Sports and his counterpart in the Department of Youth Affairs will also be members of the council, according to the notice.
In further appointments, veteran journalist Carol Radull was appointed to head the Sports Technical Committee formed to develop a framework for monetizing sports and expanding employment opportunities in the sector.
Radull has agitated for change in the sports sector in her career and is known for her dedication to highlighting concerns within the sector.
She will head the committee mandated to push for sports reforms and advise the government on plans to upgrade sporting facilities across the nation.
Kenya's Javelin legend and Olympic Champion Julius Yego will also be part of the committee, alongside retired footballer Boniface Ambani.
Itumbi's appointment was part of the latest start-studded appointments to the various government roles. Comedian Daniel Ndambuki and celebrated actress Catherine Kamau also landed government roles as part of the team to revitalize the creative sector.
President William Ruto committed to promoting youth talent on December 12 2022, during his maiden Jamhuri Day speech as part of his job-creation agenda.
In addition, the President announced plans to upgrade sports facilities in the country to world-class standards and intimated plans to bid for an opportunity to host a continental sporting tournament in Kenya.
