- Title: Senior Kenyan official arrested in Rio scandal
- Date: 22nd November 2016
- Summary: ITEN, KENYA (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ATHLETES ON MORNING JOG IN ITEN VARIOUS OF ATHLETES STRETCHING
- Embargoed: 7th December 2016 13:29
- Keywords: Kenya Nairobi Olympics NOCK
- Location: NAIROBI AND ITEN, KENYA
- City: NAIROBI AND ITEN, KENYA
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Olympics,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA00359J1MPZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Kenya's National Olympic Committee Vice Chairman Ben Ekumbo appeared at Nairobi Magistrate court on Tuesday (November 22) and was ordered to remain in detention as police investigate allegations of theft of funds and sports kits meant for the national team at Rio Olympics.
Ekumbo was arrested on Monday (November 21) after boxes containing Nike equipment and team Kenya uniforms were found at his house.
Senior Nairobi Court Magistrate, Theresa Nyangena issued a temporary detention order.
"Having considered all these factors, I have granted the prosecution three days upon which they will come back to court to state the position of investigations after which I will consider the accused for bail," Nyangena said.
Among the items seized from Ekumbo's house were official sweaters, tracks, jackets, swimming goggles, swimming jackets and other kits dating from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi to Rio 2016.
Ekumbo is the fifth official arrested in the investigation of alleged theft and abuse of office during the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Large sums of money meant to cover the expenses of Kenya's team at the Rio Olympics were misappropriated by officials, according to an investigation ordered by the country's sports ministry.
The report, seen by Reuters, said the money had been earmarked to buy air tickets for team members, but was instead taken by unidentified ministry officials.
The report said officials of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) also diverted money and kit from U.S. sports equipment manufacturer Nike worth over $800,000.
Officials at the Ministry of Sports did not respond to telephone calls or text messages when contacted by Reuters. Nike did not return calls seeking comment.
Athletes told the investigation committee that bonuses from Nike for medals won at Olympic and Commonwealth Games did not reach them.
Athletes said Nike gives NOCK $15,000 for each gold medallist, $7,500 for each silver medallist and $5,000 for each bronze medallist, but medallists told the investigation committee they had never been given bonuses from NOCK.
Reuters was unable to confirm the details of Nike's agreement with NOCK.
The probe, commissioned by Hassan Wario, Minister for Sports, Culture and the Arts, has been presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta, according to a source familiar with the matter. It has not been officially made public. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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