Interior CS Fred Matiang'i orders Kenya Prisons women volleyball team to return to Kenya

Matiang'i takes quick action in case of players stranded in Egypt

Mark Mwithaga

March 21, 2019 7:33 PM

This is what needs to be done

Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang'i

Interior CS Fred Matiangi's ministry on Thursday ordered the immediate return of the Kenya Prisons women volleyball team that had been stranded in Egypt during the ongoing Women’s Africa Club Championship in Cairo.

A press statement through the PS State Department for Correctional Services Zeinab Hussein, stated that the team had breached protocol and travelled to the competition without the approval of the government.

PS State Department for Correctional Services Zeinab Hussein during a past event Pulse Live Kenya

“The State Department for Correctional Services neither cleared nor financed the team’s travel to Cairo and was surprised to learn of its presence outside the country.

“Given the breach of protocol and the contravention of rules regarding public servants’ travel overseas, the government has immediately organized for their repatriation tonight,” remarked Hussein.

The decision to bring them back home forced the prisons team to cancel their playoff matches after they got knocked out of the main competition.

Reports indicated that the cancellation will be a blow to the team as they will be fined by the African Volleyball Confederation.

Kenya Prisons women volleyball team hotel bill of Sh1.1 million

Earlier reports had indicated that the volleyball team had been at risk of being kicked out of the hotel they were staying in during the competition, for non-payment of their bills.

Kenya Prisons women volleyball team during a past match Pulse Live Kenya

The women's team, who are the current holders of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) title, had been given till Wednesday evening to clear a bill of Sh1.1 million.

Troubles for the team had begun when the government failed to process their air tickets on time adding to the fact they had not been paid their allowances.

Mark Mwithaga