CONTRIBUTIONS OF SPORTS TOWARDS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN

BY

ANDANJE MWISUKHA, NJORORAI, W.W.S. AND - ONYWERA VINCENT

KENYATTA UNIVERSITY PHYSICAL & HEALTH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT P.O. BOX 43844 , KENYA.

ABSTRACT After the attainment of independence from colonial rule in 1963, the priority issues on which the post-colonial Kenya Government focused its attention was eradication of poverty, improvement of healthcare facilities and expansion of education. National development plans in thefirst decade therefore addressed these three main issues. At that time, sport did not feature as a facet to development. Though people participated in sports, this was to a less extent and was generally regarded as pastime activity. In addition, sports were regarded as an activityfor children in schools.

In the 1960 's, some athletes who excelled in major international competitions provided the impetusfor increased interest and participation in sports by Kenyans from all walks of life. Consequently, many sports federations and organization to manage and administer various sports disciplines wereformed and registered by the Government.

At this moment in the , there has been tremendous development of sports. Its popularity has stemmed from the understanding of the Government and the people of Kenya of the role of sports as a vehicle for national development. Indeed, the contribution of sports towards social, economic, cultural and political development of Kenya has been immense. Unfortunately, there has been no documentation of the important role of sports in Kenya's development. The present paper therefore presents an overview of the status of sports in Kenya, the achievements attained and an elaboration on tangible contributions that sports has made towards the development of the nation. It is hoped that the information will provide some ideas and lessons that could benefit other countries of the world in their efforts to develop mass sport.

KEY WORDS: Sport, National Development, Post-colonial, Social Development.

INTRODUCTION traditional society had numerous games, Before the establishment of colonial dances and initiation rituals couched in (British) rule in Kenya in the middle of the physical prowess. Rituals to mark the 19th Century, the indigenous people beginning of the planting, harvesting, participated in a wide range of physical hunting, rain or circumcision seasons were activities, which were part of their daily usually accompanied by dancing and routine of life (Wamukoya, 1993). The singing. Competitive games and activities

73 in , running, throwing, climbing, still retained in the school curriculum, and mock fights were also common among sports in general did not feature as a facet herds boys while looking after domestic to development. animals (Mazrui; 1986, Wamukoya, 1993). While emphasizing on the fact that Kenya's Though people participated in sports, this indigenous people engaged in a wide range was to a less extent, and was generally of traditional sports, Stuart (1993) regarded as a pastime activity and also as summarizes it thus: an activity for children. Most of the out- of-school sporting activities were run by "Sport has always been part of life in Africa, but in the local authorities and voluntary the past people played different games and took part sporting 'clubs and organizations which in different sports. Young people wrestled orfought friendly stick fights. Young herd boys rode races on facilitated the participation of a few of their animals. Those who lived near water enjoyed Kenya's sportsmen and women in some and canoe racing. Dancing was a/ways of the major international sports events popular, and some children even rode toboggans. such as the , All-Africa Those who were successful in traditional sport had Games and . high status. Then as now, the winners were admired and respected".(pp 77) The few Kenyan athletes who excelled in Most of the modern games in their present major international competitions in the form were introduced into Kenya by the 1960s provided the impetus for increased- British colonialists in the first half of the interest and participation in sports. The zo" century. The colonialists emphasized few heroes became role models for a on the inclusion of Physical Education in majority of Kenyans. Consequently, the School Curriculum and sports as an many Sports Clubs, Federations and extra curricular activity (Nteere, 1982). Organizations to manage and administer There is also evidence that colonialists various sports disciplines were formed made some contribution towards the and registered by the Government. The establishment and development of sporting Government, for instance, created the facilities for the general public as a means Kenya National Sports Council in 1966 of creating a healthy society (Krotee et al., through an Act of Parliament, and later, a 1988). The main problems that faced full-fledged Department of Sports in the sports at that time included lack of Government in 1989 to oversee sports knowledgeable personnel in Physical matters in the country. 4 Education and Sport, coupled with the fact that the sports were conducted along racial Over the years, there have been lines (Mazrui, 1986). tremendous developments of sports in Kenya. The popularity has stemmed from Soon after the attainment of independence the understanding of the Government and from the British colonial rule in 1963, the people of Kenya of the role of sports sports was not included as a priority issue as a vehicle for national development. on the development agenda of the post- Indeed, the contribution of sports towards colonial government. The priority issues social, economic, cultural and political then were eradication of poverty, development of Kenya has been immense. improvement of healthcare facilities and Unfortunately, there has been no expansion of education. National published study highlighting this Development Plans in the first decade important role of sport in Kenya's therefore, addressed these three main development and the tangible issues. Although Physical Education was contributions that sport has made towards the development of the country. It is 74 hoped that other than enlightening the aspects of the development (Tirop, 1999). people of Kenya on the positive Sport has effectively served as a catalyst relationship between sports and national to develop in the social, economic, development, the paper will also provide political, educational and health aspects some ideas and lessons that could benefit of the country. According to Mahlmann, other countries in their efforts to develop Asembo and Korir, (1993). Kenya's sports. second National Development Plan ORGANIZATION OF SPORTS IN (1970-1974) emphasized the values of KENYA participation in sports as: physical fitness, The structure of sports organization in good health, nation building, cooperation, Kenya stretches from the grassroots capacity for excellence and positive (village) to the national level (Tirop, image abroad. 1999). Most of the various sports disciplines have clubs and National SPORTS AND ECONONUC Federations, which coordinate their DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA activities. The Kenya National Sports There is no doubt that sport has Council is the umbrella for all the sports contributed immensely towards economic federations whose main responsibility is development of Kenya. The fact that to oversee and coordinate the activities of sport is one of the biggest economic the federations. The Department of industries in the country is not a subject Sports plays the main role of formulating of debate. Like other commodities, sport and ensuring implementation of the has been a commodity that is produced, national policy on Sports. Members of marketed and sold to the public the public are also at liberty to form and (McPherson, Curtis & Loy, 1989). register their own sports clubs, most of which affiliate to their respective national Due to the popularity of sport in Kenya, sports federations and organizations. The many commercial organizations Gin the national sports federations organize their country have been keen on !dv~ng respective activities at national level and marketin their . es while their branches and sub-branches do through sportin actrvines. The the same at the provincial and district commercial organizations spent millions levels, respectively (Asembo, 2003; of shillings through advertisements and ~ Njororai, 2003). sponsorships of sport events, thereby enabling them to maximize profits In general, sports in Kenya is a household through increased sales of their products activity that cuts across the spectrum of and services. the population. Opportunities are available for those who wish to Over the years, sport has opened up participate in sports. The government, employment opportunities in Kenya's local authorities, institutions of learning, private and public sectors for various private institutions and firms have cadres of sports personnel. Indeed, developed facilities for various sports according to Achola and Njororai, (1999), activities. sports provide an outlet for economic survival fo a participant in terms of CONTRIBUTION OF SPORTS TO getting a jo or even earning a living NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT directly from match allowances. Many Sport has contributed significantly to the Kenyan professional sportsmen and development of Kenya, though it is not sportsw men have continued to earn their possible to exhaustively quantify all the livelihood from their pursuit of sport as 75 their sole career within and outside the country. The sports products have country. The Ministry in charge of sports therefore, been an important element in has over two hundred personnel creation of employment opportunities for employed in various capacities, most of local people and trade between Kenya and whom include directors of sports, sports other countries. Many job seekers officers, stadium managers and their eventually secure employment support personnel who perform office opportunities in the sport goods chores (Njiru & Nyagah, 1988). The manufacturing firms and others end up as Ministry responsible for Education has salesmen in the many sport shops in provision for the positions of Inspectors various urban centers of the country. of Schools from the grassroots, District, Sports houses such as Nairobi Sports Provincial and National levels, most of House, Olympic Sports Centre, etc. are whom are deployed to coordinate prominent outlets employing a number of extramural sporting activities in people. institutions of learning. Sports and Games tutors are employed in the Kenya, being a developing country Universities to coordinate sporting requires the necessary infrastructure to activities in the Universities. The Kenya accelerate her development process. Institute of Education, which is Sport has effectively catalyzed the responsible for the development of school development of a . number of curricular for schools and Teacher infrastructure in the various comers of the Training Colleges has a panel of physical country. Each of the eight provinces has educators and sports personnel who a stadium whose development has develop physical education curricular. encompassed the development of related' The Kenya Army, Police, Prisons, infrastructure. Roads, telephone lines National Youth Service, etc. give power lines, hotels, health centers, police immense recognition to sports talent and posts, shops and water supply facilities achievement, and hence, use it as one of have been developed to serve the stadia the criteria for recruitment of officers into and people living within the environs. their ranks. Several government parastatals that are actively involved in The building and maintenance of various sporting activities have fairly well facilities for competitive and recreational established sports facilities and sports has constituted a large industry that organization in which many people are employs architects, engineers, managers employed as sports and Recreational and labourers (McPherson, Curtis and Managers, coaches, and trainers. Loy, 1989). In recognition of the need for Outstanding of these include the Kenya people to engage in recreational activities Power Lighting Company, Kenya after routine work, for instance, many Pipeline Company, Kenya Ports private and public commercial Authority, National Cereals and Produce organizations have set up recreational Board, Coffee Board of Kenya, Kenya facilities such as stadia, swimming pools, Sugar Authority, Kenya Posts and courts and fitness facilities to cater Telecommunications, National Sports for their employees' sporting and Organizations and so on. recreational needs. Quite a significant The production of sporting goods has number of people are employed in the been a rapidly growing industry in Kenya. sports and recreational facilities to carry Much of the sports wear and equipment out maintenance and sports/recreational- that are manufactured in Kenya are related work. marketed and sold within and outside the 76 Sport has also played a role in the promoting sport in the country but also promotion of the tourist industry in alleviated poverty among a few sports Kenya. Since the country has had the personnel in the country. The sports ~t,}t)chances of hosting major international personnel have therefore, been sport events, many visitors have had the empowered to contribute to the opportunity to tour the country. The development of the country in their own hosting of the 4th All-Africa Games in various ways (Tirop, 1999). Nairobi in 1987, for instance, was a major milestone in attracting tourists to the SPORTS AND SOCIAL country. The commendable performance DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA of Kenya's middle and distance athletes As observed by Mazrui (1986), sport has in international competitions over the made an indelible mark as a tool of years has contributed immensely towards socialization and reflection of the culture the influx of foreigners to the country of the people. This observation is indeed whose main aim has been to intermingle a true reflection of the social development with the athletes heroes, compete that sport has brought to Kenya. Sport is alongside them and or learn from them. reco . ed as a symbol of nationafUllit According to McPherson, Curtis and Loy in the coun ince Kenya has a total of (1989), the influx of such visitors 42 ethnic groups, as well as people of stimulates the local economy, particularly diverse religions and racial backgrounds, for hotels, bars and restaurants, taxis and sport has rightly acted as a tool for other retail businesses. Visitors stimulate integration and co-existence of the people the economy through a multiplier effect (Njiru & Nyagah, 1988). Whenever local as well, that is, for every new dollar spent teams com ete a ainst foreign on~, by a visitor, a certain percentage of that Kenyans, regardless of ethnic racial and dollar is spent four to six times in the religions -differences, come together-in community by local employers and solidarity to support their teams. Such employees. solidarity is good as it enables people to work harmoniously towards common Due to the large following that sport goals. It brings about understanding enjoys in' Kenya, many wealthy among the people and appreciation of one individuals and commercial organizations other, thereby creating opportunity for have been keen on identifying with it so them to pull together in matters of as to enhance their popularity and development (Tirop, 1999; Tulner et. al., maximize their profits respectively. 1992). Wealthy and influential people have supported and patronaged talented Kenya's sportsmen and sportswomen sportsmen and sportswomen, and have played a leading and to some extent, sponsored various sporting activities as a unrivalled role of bringing about way of getting recognized and gaining popularity and pulllicity of the country on popularity among their communities. ..,. the international scene. This aspect of Such support has enabled many of development directly reflects the thinking Kenya's athletes to advance their prowess of Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Germany and consequently win medals and Nazi Party, who had hoped to win recognition for the country. Sponsorships popularity and superiority of his party from commercial organizations like the from anticipated victory in the 1936 Kenya Breweries Limited, Oserian Otymkllc Games but the victory was never Fastac, Nzoia Sugar Company and many realized (Tulloh, 1982). The aspect of others, have not only assisted in sport as a tool of bringing about national 77 popularity and recognition is one aspect are common phenomena, and find of social development which has brought expression at sport events in Kenya. pride and international recognition to Kenya. Indeed, arising from the SPORT AND POLITICAL numerous successes registered by DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA Kenya's sportsmen and sportwomen since The relationship between sport and 1956, when Kenya participated for the politics has been one of the most enduring first time in the Olympic Games, the and pervasive aspect in Kenya. Just as country has received a lot of recognition the governments of the ancient city-states from other countries of the world of Greece used sport to enhance the (Bhushan, 1988). Indeed Kenya has been fitness of their citizens for war and to described as a "Superpower" in the demonstrate their superiority over other sporting world based on her athletes' city-states as claimed by McPherson, commendable performances in the middle Curtis & Loy, (1989), there has been no and long distance races (GOK 2003). In much departure from this practice in addition to this, the ceremonial Kenya. Sport has continued to play an1 presentation of medals to Kenya's invaluable role of enhancing political sportsmen and sportswomen following tranquility in Kenya. It has been a neutral their victories at international sports tool of minimizing political tension and events has helped a great in exposing the differences, thereby, paving the way for name of the country to the rest of the collective effort towards the development world. of the various sectors of the country. Sport enjoys a great deal of following Sport has effectively provided an avenue among people across the political groups, through which the people of Kenya and sports events have served as suitabl~ express and preserve their cultural fora were eo Ie of diverse olitical heritage. This phenomenon is rightly affiliation conver _e to share fun. emphasized by Mazrui (1986) who Politicians have also continuously observed that sport in African was linked capitalized on the popularity of sport in to indigenous culture. The traditional the country to sell their political and initiation into manhood, for instance, was development agenda to their electorates indinguishable into warrior status, which and also stage their political campaigns is also associated with the masculinity (Njiru & Nyagah, 1988). Indeed, a and prowess associated with modem substantial number of the most prominent sport. Modem sporting activities such as politicians in Kenya are known to have wrestling, dancing, swimming, track used sport as a springboard into their running and horse-racing are considered a political careers including Joab Omino, preservation and extension of similar' Martin Shikuku, Chris Obure, among indigenous sports which found expression others (Njiru & Nyagah, 1988). in various forms such as mock-fights, drumming and singing, animal-back The success of Kenya's sportsmen and riding, hunting and swimming activities women in international sports events has in rivers and streams (Stuart, 1993). earned pride, brought recognition and a Modem sport in Kenya is closely sense of identity to the country and its associated with traditional beliefs and citizens. Tulloh (1982) acknowledges practices of the indigenous people: that the success attained by renown traditional dances, songs, warrior or war- Kenyan athletes, for example, Kip Keino, like activities, magic and superstitious Naphtali Temu and Amos Biwott at the acts which characterize Africa's culture Olympic Games has been a great source b 78 tto.>{4$ sf'~I<.~ r~oS"~ S(~h G.~l"'" ,~~' ~•...' ,,\,IS(.( o~ of national feelings of pride, superiority, have earned opporturutres to study in greatness and conquest. This success has America such as 1972 800m bronze been directly linked with perceived medallist, Dr. Mike Boit; 1988 800m superior political institutions and gold medallist Peter Ereng; 1988 1500m governance of the country. The hoisting gold medallist Peter Rono, among others, of Kenya's flag following victory at Europe and (Tirop, 1999). international sports tournaments IS In relation to this aspect of educational conceived as a great symbol of development, Tulloh (1982), states thus: sovereignty of the country. The impressive performance of Kenya's "Success in the Games (Olympics) can be of great athletes have earned further recognition help to a person in his education. A lot of the athletes in America, Africa and Australia have for the country through the election and received scholarships because of their success in appointment of some of the athletes, the Games. My friend, Mike Boit (a Kenyan), was officials of national sports federations and offered a scholarship to an American University organizations to key positions of the and has been able to study for a University regional, continental and international degree. Because of Mike Boit's achievements, several other Kenyans have gone to American sports federations and organizations, Universities". (p. 64) including the International Olympic Committee. In addition, the country is A number of organizations that work frequently accorded the most coveted hand in hand with some Kenyan athletes international recognition and honor of have assisted in funding learning and hosting some of the major regional, research institutions in Kenya. A number continental and international sports of s s aanizations and indivi ual competitions, arising from her athletes' athletes have also ut up pnvate schools successes, unwavering support and ~hich make u lit edUcation accessible participation in similar competitions to many Kenyan ouths. Examples of hosted in the other comers of the world. these inc ude the legendary Kenyan athlete, , who operates an Kenya's sportsmen and women destined ultra-modem institution of learning in for international sports assignments have that caters for many Kenyan ~ often been described as the country's youths; the Mathare Youth Sports \ "good ambassadors" (Mukora, 1998). Association (MYSA) which brings They "tell" the world about their country together a large number of street and slum t . through their participation and children also runs an extensrve performance in the international educational programme. The Moi tournaments. They have contributed International Sports Centre which is the immensely in selling, and providing largest modern sports facility in the publicity to the name of the country on country also accommodates an upcoming the international scene. National Sports Institute whose conceived mission is to train sports manpower. SPORT AND EDUCATION Physical Education and Sport is part of the DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA national educational curricular. Through Sport has made tremendous contribution Physical Education and Sport, young towards the development of education in people are inducted into leading active and Kenya. Quite a significant number of healthy lifestyles. Indeed, the emphasis on Kenya's outstanding sportsmen and Physical Education and Sport for life in women have received scholarships to schools is one of the most important further their studies as they pursue their contributions of the sport sciences to the sport careers. A number of the athletes 79 future well being of a nation. (Noakes, CONCLUSION 2002). Additionally, through Physical From the foregoing, it is clear that there Education and Sport in schools, children has been a positive relationship between have an opportunity to develop their sports and socia-economic, political and personality, talent, mental and physical cultural development in Kenya. To keep abilities to their fullest potential. up the spirit of competitive and (Deventer, 2002). recreational sports as a vehicle for national development, all aspects that RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPORT affect and influence the promotion of AND sport needs to be adequately addressed. Kenya has been active in developing and This includes the inevitable need for expanding sports for all as a major step preservation and development of sports towards enhancing the health of her facilities, training of sports manpower and citizens. 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