Nairobi: The Department of Sports in Nyandarua County has implemented a new rule mandating that teams selected to represent the county in competitions must comprise 70 percent locals and 30 percent non-locals. Nyandarua County Youth and Sports Chief Officer Edward Kigo stated that this rule aims to provide local athletes with exposure and opportunities to showcase their talents.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kigo clarified that the rule aligns with constitutional requirements regarding hiring practices within counties, which stipulate that 70 percent of employees should be locals while 30 percent can be sourced from outside. Kigo made these comments during the County Cross Country championships held at the Ol-kalou Arboretum, an event organized to select athletes for the upcoming Central Region Athletics Kenya (AK) cross-country championships in Kirinyaga County.
The Sports Officer emphasized that the county government seeks to ensure that local athletes benefit from the sponsorship of sports events. To support the selected team, the county government will provide accommodation and meals during the regional competition in Kirinyaga.
AK Nyandarua Chairman Francis Kamau, who attended the competition, highlighted the enforcement of the new rule, requiring selected athletes to present their birth certificates to confirm their Nyandarua origin and to prevent age cheating.
The teams representing Nyandarua County in the Central Region Athletics Kenya (AK) cross-country championships in Kirinyaga include:
- 10km Senior Men: Shadrack Kimng'etich, Joseph Njoroge, Austin Kagunya, Egiron Lobek, Stephen Maina, Leonard Kirui, William Tomno.
- 10km Senior Women: Florence Wachira, Nancy Michael, Virginia Gathigia, Diana Chepkemoi, Elizabeth Njeri, Florence Njeri.
- 6km Junior Women: Monica Ekuam, Miriam Wangui, Esther Mwihaki, Peninah Mukonene, Eunice Munduhu, Monica Cherop.
- 8km Junior Men: Nicholas Kipchumba, Frankline Kilesi, Titus Waithaka, Johnson Kamau, Francis Wairua, Calvin Muthii.