A member of the senate has called out the state over what he described as ill-treatment of the slain athlete, Agnes Tirop.
While contributing to a motion tabled by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei on Tuesday, October 19, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua accused the government of abandoning the athlete even in her death.
Wambua told the House that hours before the sitting, Cherargei had approached him to make a contribution towards the burial ceremony of Tirop.
"It is a big shame that for a person who has flown the Kenyan flag so high internationally, we are making small contributions, and the state is doing very little to even accord her that decent send off," he stated.
The senator, who also sent a message of condolence to Tirop's family on behalf of the people of Kitui, stated that the government had already 'punished' Tirop two times and warned against a dreaded third time.
First, he accused the government of abandoning the athlete when she jetted back into the country from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Secondly, he stated that government left the 5,000 metres champion exposed by not offering her psychosocial support she needed in addressing the family challenges she was going through.
"Now the state is leaving villagers to raise money to bury this girl. At least at the burial, the government should pretend to be doing something to give her a decent send-off," he stated.
Nominated Senator Farhiya Ali, called on all players to ensure that Tirop and her family gets justice.
"Madam Speaker, it is my considered opinion that justice be served expeditiously," she stated.
Moreover, the senator raised concern over the manner in which Kenyan athletes are treated when they attend international events. He stated that most athletes are reduced to second fiddle with their handlers getting the best of services.
"Those officials and their managers fly business class, the runners fly economy. When they get to the destination, the runners are handled together in dormitories while the handlers go to five-star hotels," Wambua stated.
Senator Ali proposed that a law be passed that would see the athletes go through training on how to invest the proceeds of their training.
