Kemboi under attack over Raila stadium remark

Ezekiel Kemboi is joined by PM Raila Odinga and other politicians for a jig at the 64 Stadium in Eldoret [Photos:Peter Ochieng]

Olympic Gold medalist Ezekiel Kemboi pulled a major surprise when he strode into Eldoret’s 64 stadium where he joined Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a political rally.

There were loud whispers on whether he had actually joined politics.  There was applause from thousands of ODM supporters who thronged the stadium when he climbed the podium and even did his traditional jig as he stood next to Raila.

There was silence when he was given the chance to address the crowd. What will he say?  Was he going to declare Raila Tosha?  The crowd waited as Kemboi smiled.

When he finally spoke, the international athlete did not hide his admiration for the PM who appeared excited by his presence.

“I suggest that this stadium be renovated and re-named Raila Odinga stadium,” he said amid ululations from Raila’s supporters.

He went on to explain why Raila deserved to have his name inscribed on the walls of one of the most important facilities in the North Rift.

But his utterances have now put him in trouble with his fans and some leaders from the region.

Local radio stations and the social media (read Facebook and Twitter) were flooded with Kemboi’s fans who expressed their anger. Only days after the Eldoret meeting, Kemboi ran into a storm as some of his fans openly criticised him for suggesting that the stadium be renamed after Raila.

Politically, Kemboi’s suggestion has not gone down well with senior politicians from the region, who have been campaigning to water down Raila’s influence in the region.

Eldoret North MP and the URP Presidential candidate, William Ruto has been campaigning to block Raila from getting the Rift valley block vote.

Social media

A caller to one of the radio stations lauded Kemboi’s call for renovation saying the facility plays an important role among the residents of Eldoret politically or historically.

“But for him to say that we rename the stadium is unfortunate. He displayed political sycophancy which a public servant should not engage in,” said the caller.

Fans who posted on their face book walls reminded Kemboi that it is not him to decide what the stadium should be called should there be need to rename it.

“It is not for you to decide. We have council of Elders. Your words were so irritating,” said a fan. Others warned Kemboi to desist from playing politics because he is a civil servant.

“Kemboi read the Constitution on public servants’ act and you must know ignorance of the law is no defence,” added another.

Another   fan said:  “Ezekiel Kemboi, you are a civil servant. You are not allowed to contribute in political rallies/function. We still celebrate you but then, you’ve portrayed a bad picture by going against the public servants’ code of conduct.”

“He’s employed by public service. He should stay away from political arena! He must desist from what he has portrayed and importantly he should try to improve the state of athletics in Kenya. Kemboi is destroying his celebrity status by meddling in politics,” ran another comment.

Won Gold

“By addressing a political rally he engaged in politics, which is against the public service code of conduct, the national police service act and police standing orders. If it were a national function then it would have been okay but not a political rally. What reasons did he have to propose that the stadium be named Raila Odinga other than politics? Even if it was an official police function, his rank is below an inspector of police. What Kemboi engaged in is indiscipline which is punishable within the police service,” said yet another post.

Some fans however defended Kemboi saying he is entitled to his opinion. Majority who stood by him said since Kemboi is an athlete he is better placed to comment on matters athletics.

“That sports hero has just expressed his viewpoint. Anyone getting it from a political point of view has just got it all wrong. To say the least, he was expressing himself as a sportsman to his leader, the PM. Let Kemboi be. Now I understand why he won the Gold medal in the Olympics and left,” said a post in support of Kemboi.

Efforts to reach athletes from the region were unfruitful as most promised to call The County Weekly back. Messages sent to political leaders from the region were not replied to either.