Nairobi
(AFP) - Kenya's sports minister, under fire after a series of scandals
and embarrassments at the Rio games, on Thursday announced the
disbanding of the country's Olympic committee.
"I
do hereby disband the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) with
immediate effect," Hassan Wario said at a press conference in Nairobi.
Wario,
who was questioned on Wednesday by detectives investigating allegations
of corruption and mismanagement relating to Kenya's Olympics
performance, said facilities management parastatal Sports Kenya would
take over responsibility and organise fresh elections to the Olympic
committee.
Wario
blamed NOCK for the "troubles", "mishaps" and "mishandling of the
accreditation" that -- among other problems -- tarnished Kenya's
Olympics.
"These
allegations on the National Olympic Committee pose an immense threat
that will adversely affect the stability and reputation of the Olympic
Games in this country," Wario said.
But
no sooner had he made the declaration than NOCK secretary-general Paul
Francis, sitting beside him, said the minister had no authority to do
so.
"The
cabinet secretary has no powers to disband NOCK because this is not a
government parastatal. We will not vacate office and as far as we are
concerned we are still in office," said Paul.
He added that the Olympics shambles was the responsibility of the government.
The
blame game follows an embarrassing performance by Kenyan officials even
as the country's athletes clocked up their best Olympics yet with 13
medals (including six golds) putting them in 15th place overall, the
best in Africa by far.
Wario
also announced a "probe committee" to look into the allegations,
becoming at least the third senior official to declare an investigation.