Uhuru: Why I ignored youths and appointed 91 year-old Moody Awori – VIDEO
President Uhuru Kenyatta has explained why he opted for 91 year-old former Vice President Moody Awori to be in charge of the Sports Fund, but his argument has only angered young people even more.
The president on Thursday subtly dismissed young people in Kenya as thieves who cannot be entrusted with public funds.
He argued that older men will prevent cartels from stealing the money at he Sports, Art and Social Development Fund.
Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich had last week gazetted members of the Sports Fund board who will also include five Principal Secretaries from the ministries of Education, Arts, Health, National Treasury and Sports.
Mr Awori will work alongside Athletics Kenya boss Jackson Tuwei, a retired military official.
The board is expected to manage the fund, develop sports infrastructure and facilitate all national teams ahead of international assignments.
ONLINE OUTRAGE
The appointment of Mr Awori sparked outrage online as young Kenyans accused the president of reneging on his promise to include youth in his government appointments.
But in his remarks on Thursday during the graduation ceremony for Kenya Commercial Bank 2jiajiri initiative, President Kenyatta was blunt.
“Ukiona vile watu wanaiba pesa halafu tupatie kijana. Mimi afadhali nikae na huyo mzee achunge hiyo pesa itumike vile inatakikana. Tumeona vile watu wakipewa kazi kama hiyo wanenda kufanya fanya, si afadhali tupatie huyo mzee hiyo pesa ndio iwarudie. Watu waniwache bana sitaki mambo mingi” he said.
Incidentally, Mr Awori was linked to the Anglo Leasing corruption scandal in a report published by John Githongo in 2006.