Omanyala Visa Saga: DCI Goes After Senior Government Officials
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched inquiries into the delays which saw sensational sprinter, Ferdinand Omanyala, stranded in the country for hours.
DCI boss George Kinoti said his office was investigating the circumstances that led to the delay in Omanyala’s acquisition of Visa and the subsequent delay in the country’s departure for the world championships taking place in India. Oregon, United States.
Kinoti confirmed he had been contacted to investigate allegations that non-officials had been added to the traveler list, leaving behind key figures including athletes, coaches and technical officials.
The DCI boss scolded officials accused of stifling the performance of Omanyala, who is Africa’s fastest man.
Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti speaking to reporters at DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road on Thursday March 5, 2020
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“It definitely shocks me. It’s a shame not just for the nation but for the whole world, and we won’t allow it,” Kinoti said.
State Department of Sports officials have vehemently refuted claims that joyriders were listed for the trip, each to receive Ksh 2 million in compensation.
Joe Okudo, the principal secretary of the state sports department, said only six department officials were due to travel, mainly for a meeting with Kenya’s main kit sponsor Nike, based in Oregon state.
Omanyala did not travel with the Kenyan team to the United States on the night of Tuesday July 12. Details later emerged that the US Embassy in Nairobi had not given exact details of the visa delays.
The sprinter expressed hope of setting another record in Oregon, pointing to the intense training he’s been through over the past few weeks.
On Thursday, July 14, he thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and the US Embassy in Nairobi for working together to ensure visa hurdles were resolved in time.
“All Kenyans and people face visa issues on a daily basis, in this case I was no different. First of all, I would like to thank God, that the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, and Sports CS Amina Mohamed were at the forefront of making sure I got my visa.
“Thank you to the US Embassy in Kenya for granting me my VISA. I will also be participating in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Thursday July 28. I look forward to making all Kenyans proud,” said Omanyala.
A collage image of Ferdinand Omanyala during the World Championships in Oregon, USA on July 16, 2022.
On Saturday morning July 16, Omanyala qualified for the 100m semifinals at the World Championships after clocking 10:10 seconds in the seventh run.
He finished third in a run won by Japanese Abdul Hakim (9:98) and New Zealander Edward Osei Nketia (10:08).