Change arrives at the Sports Ministry again as clock ticks towards CHAN

The Sports Ministry in Kenya underwent change once again in the latest raft of changes to cabinet announced via a cabinet communique Wednesday.

Permanent Secretary PS, Peter Tum, the incumbent office holder was designated as the new Ambassador to Kinshasa by President William Ruto, in changes announced to the public via the office of the Chief of Staff Felix Koskei.

Elijah Mwangi comes in to replace Tum. Mwangi is a Finance and Management expert had been serving as PS for Mining until yesterday.

Mwangi is a certified public accountant with 19 years of experience in finance and research. He is a member of ICPAK, Kenya's accounting and auditing caucus.

Since President William Ruto took over leadership of government business in 2022, there have been frequent changes at the Sports Ministry.

Jonathan Mueke was the first PS but he was moved and in 2023 replaced by Tum, meaning this will be a third PS in three years.

At the more senior Cabinet Secretary CS position, there have also been changes galore.

Ababu Namwamba started as the first CS in 2022 only to be replaced by Kipchumba Murkomen in mid-2024. Murkomen was then moved months later and Salim Mvurya was appointed.

With Kenya hosting the African Nations Championships CHAN in August and the greater African Cup of Nations is 2027, stability is needed at the Sports desk as the country has already been behind schedule in the planning and improvement of stadia and other aspects.

Mwangi is expected to take charge of his new office next week and it will be interesting to understand what his thoughts are regarding the upcoming CHAN competition as well as his take on the leadership transitions at the ministry.

" The changes the President is making are too many. They are disruptive. They do not add value, Lamick Mutembei a trader outside the Nyayo National Stadium told Radio Generation Sport.

For Timothy Gitonga who has a tuck shop also just around the corner from the recently reopened Nyayo Stadium agrees.

"The major problem is that these new people do not have any sports experience or understanding. They have to learn and then when they settle down, they are moved again, he opined.