‘We Should Do More!’ – CS Murkomen Says While Unveiling Steps To Protect Female Athletes
Kipchumba Murkomen, the Sports Cabinet Secretary, has announced major reforms for female athletes who will represent Kenya in future events.
Speaking in Uganda, where he was attending the burial of slain Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei in Bukwo district near the Kenya-Uganda border, Murkomen admitted that much more could be done to protect athlete interests.
The Cabinet Secretary also pledged that his ministry would implement measures and introduce safeguards to ensure that preventable disasters are avoided.
“Her death, which shook not just Uganda and the athletics community but the entire East African region, should prick our conscience to do more to end gender-based violence in sports, and we shall do it.”
Paid my last respects to the celebrated Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei at her home in Bukwo district. Her death, which shook not just Uganda and the athletics community but the entire East African region, should prick our conscience to do more to end gender-based violence in… pic.twitter.com/2yc1pwLW4m
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) September 14, 2024
In the post, CS Murkomen described the harsh reality for female athletes in Kenya.
“Sadly, Cheptegei’s death wasn’t the first such tragedy in Kenya. One previous case – that of world record holder Agnes Tirop – led to the creation of a committee on Gender-Based Violence in sports,” he tweeted.
In this light, Murkomen announced that going forward, Kenya will ensure there is a female matron for women’s teams heading to national, continental and international competitions.
Currently, technical benches are typically staffed entirely by men. He also promised more reforms for women in sports.
“Among the key measures is the mainstreaming of psychosocial support for athletes and requiring that female sports camps be run by women, with men only offering support,” stated Murkomen.
Ugandan government officials, led by Sports Minister Peter Ogwang, attended the burial, as did Kenyan Nandi Governor Stephen Sang.
CS Murkomen emphasized the importance of providing a safe environment for female athletes as they strive to reach their full potential.
“We must implement these recommendations to create a safe environment where athletes can thrive.”
Murkomen remembered the late Cheptegei as a devoted mother and friend to many.
“She had worked hard and catapulted herself to international glory, only for her dreams to be cut short by a vicious attack from someone she knew.”
The United Nations issued a statement on September 6th in response to reports of violence directed at female athletes.
During a briefing in New York, UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric emphasized the gravity of the situation, describing Cheptegei’s murder as “a tragic reflection of a much bigger problem.”
He added, “Every 11 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner or family member somewhere in the world. This must stop.”
The 33-year-old marathoner died in the intensive care unit at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital after sustaining burns to 80 percent of her body.
Dickson Ndiema, the man responsible, allegedly doused her in gasoline and set her on fire after a disagreement over a plot of land she had purchased.
Her family changed her burial plans after the severity of her burns necessitated a reconsideration of burial dates.
“We have changed the plans because the body can not stay two days out of the morgue before burial,” her father told the press on Thursday.
‘We Should Do More!’ – CS Murkomen Says While Unveiling Steps To Protect Female Athletes
