“I know that many do, and I know that the few cases of cheating we have encountered in the past are not a reflection on the integrity of all our athletes.  Yet the world will indict us as a country based on the individual breaches of each athlete and each national team“

“Over the years, we have built a remarkable reputation as sportsmen and women of the highest stature.   That reputation has been earned diligently through the exertion and effort, sweat and sacrifices of many many hardworking men and women.  But the reality of life is that reputations rise in years and fall in moments”President Kenyatta said  

“I, therefore, urge all sportsmen and women to rigorously defend their right to be regarded as great.  And, in the same spirit, l remind them that it is their responsibility to stay abreast of international regulations and ensure that they remain in good standing before the law. “

Every upstanding sportsman and woman of integrity can be sure that they have the full support of their Government and their country.

“But let it also be clear that those who show contempt for the law will be punished.  That applies not just to individual athletes and players, but to teams too.  I specifically single out the football federation which was recently accused of fielding over age players.”

“This kind of issue is simply unacceptable for a federation of it’s caliber, and let us not sugar-coat it—it is cheating.  It is breaking the rules.  And if the federation does not know the rules, then that is carelessness.  It is deeply regrettable that the actions of the federation led to the disqualification of our team from the Africa Cup of Nationsqualifiers.”

“At the end of the day, the people who suffer in these scenarios are the sports men and women who lose opportunities, the fans who support them, and the children who look up to them as role models.  So I urge the federation to recoup their image, and remain vigilant in ensuring that they toe legal lines”.the president concluded.