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Stephen Soi, the man who led Team Kenya to Rio Olympics, broke down in tears at the anti-corruption court in Nairobi today.
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He oversaw the worst sports-related heist in Kenya's history and was charged with stealing Sh25,000,000
---A short thread--- https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/news/rio-scandal-stephen-soi-cries-in-court-while-defending-himself-1902884
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He oversaw the worst sports-related heist in Kenya's history and was charged with stealing Sh25,000,000
---A short thread--- https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/news/rio-scandal-stephen-soi-cries-in-court-while-defending-himself-1902884
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Kenya still won six gold and 13 medals in total in Rio and was second behind the US on the athletics standings.
This was Kenya's best ever performance at the olympics
That said, the team's management was marred by chaos, theft and corruption. https://apnews.com/31c0a215dba8440598c2b418a1b5ebd4/Report-shows-level-of-chaos-in-Kenya-Olympic-team
Kenya still won six gold and 13 medals in total in Rio and was second behind the US on the athletics standings.
This was Kenya's best ever performance at the olympics
That said, the team's management was marred by chaos, theft and corruption. https://apnews.com/31c0a215dba8440598c2b418a1b5ebd4/Report-shows-level-of-chaos-in-Kenya-Olympic-team
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Athletes had to grapple with missing tickets, the lack of sports kit and joyriders who came along for the party.
Things got so bad, in fact, that three officials from the NOCK were arrested upon their return to Kenya. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-08-28-kenyas-olympic-sized-farce/#gsc.tab=0
Athletes had to grapple with missing tickets, the lack of sports kit and joyriders who came along for the party.
Things got so bad, in fact, that three officials from the NOCK were arrested upon their return to Kenya. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-08-28-kenyas-olympic-sized-farce/#gsc.tab=0
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Kit was stolen and sold
According to Nike, 19,000 pieces of kit were to be provided to the team and officials travelling to Rio but reports indicate the athletes were short changed with the managers also accused of selling off the items illegally. https://citizentv.co.ke/sports/kenya-paid-ksh-18-5-million-for-free-nike-kit-contract-141065/
Kit was stolen and sold
According to Nike, 19,000 pieces of kit were to be provided to the team and officials travelling to Rio but reports indicate the athletes were short changed with the managers also accused of selling off the items illegally. https://citizentv.co.ke/sports/kenya-paid-ksh-18-5-million-for-free-nike-kit-contract-141065/
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Some of that kit was found at the home of NOCK first vice-chairman Ben Ekumbo, who was also arraigned for the theft of $10,500 and investigated over claims of sexually molesting female swimmers.
He was caught by police hiding under his bed. https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/sports/athletics/ben-ekumbo-now-offers-to-repay-olympic-cash-330866
Some of that kit was found at the home of NOCK first vice-chairman Ben Ekumbo, who was also arraigned for the theft of $10,500 and investigated over claims of sexually molesting female swimmers.
He was caught by police hiding under his bed. https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/sports/athletics/ben-ekumbo-now-offers-to-repay-olympic-cash-330866
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Joyriders
There were at least 16 joyriders who had no business travelling to Rio Olympic Games.
The joyriders, who included relatives of Olympic officials, cost the taxpayer more than Sh10,000,000 and took up space meant for team members & officials. https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/special-reports/article/2000225230/how-joyriders-and-officials-cost-the-government-millions-in-rio-olympics
Joyriders
There were at least 16 joyriders who had no business travelling to Rio Olympic Games.
The joyriders, who included relatives of Olympic officials, cost the taxpayer more than Sh10,000,000 and took up space meant for team members & officials. https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/special-reports/article/2000225230/how-joyriders-and-officials-cost-the-government-millions-in-rio-olympics
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It was also at the Rio olympics where coach John Anzrah was sent home after he was found with runner Ferguson Rotich’s Olympic accreditation card, and after he had provided a urine sample for a doping test and signed forms in the name of Rotich
https://apnews.com/89ef83df7c6f4a489387df0bdfb4869c
It was also at the Rio olympics where coach John Anzrah was sent home after he was found with runner Ferguson Rotich’s Olympic accreditation card, and after he had provided a urine sample for a doping test and signed forms in the name of Rotich
https://apnews.com/89ef83df7c6f4a489387df0bdfb4869c
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After the games, some athletes got stranded and ended up staying in a favela in Rio, one of the most dangerous places to be for a foreigner. https://twitter.com/weskorir/status/768519914453864449
After the games, some athletes got stranded and ended up staying in a favela in Rio, one of the most dangerous places to be for a foreigner. https://twitter.com/weskorir/status/768519914453864449
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As for Mr Soi, prosecutors said he took $234,000 with him on a flight to Brazil without declaring it to customs officials, and which then went missing... and stole the remaining $22,000 in smaller amounts on separate occasions. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/09/28/kenyas-olympic-team-leader-charged-denies-stealing-256k/91209776/
As for Mr Soi, prosecutors said he took $234,000 with him on a flight to Brazil without declaring it to customs officials, and which then went missing... and stole the remaining $22,000 in smaller amounts on separate occasions. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/09/28/kenyas-olympic-team-leader-charged-denies-stealing-256k/91209776/
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An investigation was ordered in 2016 by then Sports Minister Hassan Wario after allegations of corruption being rife at the NOCK.
NOCK was disbanded after Rio amid allegations that some Sh88,000,000 of a Sh570,000,000 Olympic budget was stolen. https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/news/fresh-probe-into-sh88m-rio-scandal-97064
An investigation was ordered in 2016 by then Sports Minister Hassan Wario after allegations of corruption being rife at the NOCK.
NOCK was disbanded after Rio amid allegations that some Sh88,000,000 of a Sh570,000,000 Olympic budget was stolen. https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/news/fresh-probe-into-sh88m-rio-scandal-97064
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In Sept 2017, Kipchoge Keino, NOCK head, indicated that he wouldn't vie for reelection.
He had headed up NOCK since 1999 when he took over from Charles Mukora, who resigned following the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics bribery scandal.
https://sports.yahoo.com/keino-step-down-kenyan-olympic-chief-132138949--spt.html
In Sept 2017, Kipchoge Keino, NOCK head, indicated that he wouldn't vie for reelection.
He had headed up NOCK since 1999 when he took over from Charles Mukora, who resigned following the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics bribery scandal.
https://sports.yahoo.com/keino-step-down-kenyan-olympic-chief-132138949--spt.html
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In October 2018, Hassan Wario was charged in court with abuse of office over the siphoning off of funds meant for athletes who competed in the Olympics.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-corruption/kenyan-ex-sports-minister-charged-over-rio-olympics-graft-idUSKCN1MT1EF
In October 2018, Hassan Wario was charged in court with abuse of office over the siphoning off of funds meant for athletes who competed in the Olympics.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-corruption/kenyan-ex-sports-minister-charged-over-rio-olympics-graft-idUSKCN1MT1EF
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Wario, who had been appointed ambassador to Austria in 2018 after he stepped down as minister, was fired in May 2019 and replaced by former ambassador to the US, Robinson Githae. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2019-05-03-wario-dropped-mubea-picked-in-new-envoy-postings/
Wario, who had been appointed ambassador to Austria in 2018 after he stepped down as minister, was fired in May 2019 and replaced by former ambassador to the US, Robinson Githae. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2019-05-03-wario-dropped-mubea-picked-in-new-envoy-postings/
