Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen now says that critics of Team Kenya's performance at the Olympics do not know what it means to participate in the games.
Speaking during a breakfast hosted by President William Ruto in honour of the athletes, Murkomen said people on social media only know how to criticise.
He said that the athletes sacrifice a lot to be able to represent the country, and because of this they should be respected.
Murkomen insisted that it is not an easy thing to be an athlete because of the immense sacrifice athletes have to make.
"There are so many keyboard and social media warriors who only know how to criticize but they do not know what it means to participate in the Olympics. It is a very difficult task to be a sportsperson. We only see the three minutes that Faith runs but we don't see what happens behind the scenes.
"There's a lot of hard work; waking up in the morning, denying yourself food, denying yourself pleasure, and denying yourself family. If you go to training camps, these athletes sleep in very small beds just like dormitories in schools. The sacrifice they make to reach where they are is immense," the CS said.
He, however, noted that as a government, they plan to be deliberate on the support they give to athletes.
"We want as a government, and ministry to be more deliberate in supporting our athletes to make sure that when we come to celebrate, we can trace the path that we have supported them."
A section of social media users criticised the Kenyan team for a 'dismal' performance.
Team Kenya bagged a total of 11 medals including 4 gold, two silver and 5 bronze.
The Team returned to the country on Tuesday night.
President Ruto hosted the team alongside athletics veterans at the Eldoret State Lodge, on Thursday.
Local leaders including Governor Jonathan Bii, Governor Wesley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi among others were present.
