Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called for the employment of athletes in government even when they have no academic certificates.
The CS said the country can not continue to place a lot of premium only on academic papers while ignoring athletes who have flown the country’s flag high.
Murkomen who spoke during the burial of World Marathon recorder holder Kevin Kiptum in Elgeyo Marakwet, Murkomen said athletes’ exploits must count.
He said that most athletes have been locked out of government jobs just because they don’t have the requisite academic papers.
“These athletes have made a difference through sports and sometimes we have over-glorified class education to the extent that we deny these athletes opportunities to serve in government just because of lack of paper,” he said.
“Their running exploits must count for something and must be rewarded to be a certificate. There’s no problem to absorb them in government parastatals.”
During the event leaders appealed to the government to secure a job for Kiptum’s wife Asenath.
Kiptum whose burial service is underway in Elgeyo Marakwet, has left behind a widow and two children.
Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei appealed to Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich to give the widow a job in the county.
This, he said, will ensure the widow is closer to home and always near the family and her children.
“I would like to request the governor to consider employing Kiptum’s wife within the county so that she remains here or near the family as she takes care of their young children,” Tuwei said.
Keiyo South MP Gideon Kimaiyo also appealed to President William Ruto to ensure that Kiptum’s wife gets a job at the national government.
“The family had hoped that Kevin would now change their lives, but he is no more. I want to ask you the president to give Kevin’s wife a job at the national government so that he can take care of these children,’” Kimaiyo said.
The World Athletics President Sebastian Coe is among the international guests who are attending Kiptum’s funeral service.
The funeral service is being held at Chepkorio grounds in Elgeiyo Marakwet.
Coe arrived in the country on Thursday evening.
As the head of the world athletics governing body, he ratified Kiptum’s Chicago world marathon record of 2:00:35 a few days before he met his death in a road accident.
