In the release, Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen clarified that the team had been well accommodated and would arrive safely in Nairobi later today.
Contrary to online reports, the team consisting of 12 players and seven officials was provided with comfortable in-airport accommodations during their layover.
"During the 13-hour layover, Lufthansa made special arrangements to accommodate the team in a reserved airport lounge equipped with beds, a rare courtesy that allowed the team to rest comfortably as they awaited their flight," Murkomen explained.
The team’s journey from Colombia included a scheduled layover in Frankfurt, with a flight departing at 11:00 AM today, November 13, 2024.
The Ministry also confirmed that team members who do not hold Schengen visas were restricted to the airport but given all necessary support within their limited mobility.
"The team members did not have Schengen visas, which prevented them from staying in hotels outside the airport. Considering their special needs, Lufthansa provided suitable in-airport accommodation, which was not even extended to the accompanying officials," Murkomen clarified, underscoring Lufthansa’s care and support for the players.
The team had travelled to Colombia on November 1 to represent Kenya in the international competition, securing a respectable fourth-place finish.
“The team comprises 12 players and seven team officials departed Nairobi on Friday, November 1, 2024, aboard Lufthansa Airline via Frankfurt to represent Kenya at the 2024 WAFF Women’s Amputee Football World Cup competition in Colombia, where they finished an impressive 4th place overall, having topped their group in the preliminary rounds,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
Murkomen detailed that before the team’s departure, they received allowances covering all local training, competition, and travel needs.
These international-standard allowances, he noted, were aimed at covering players' and officials' personal needs during their seven-day training camp in Kenya and the nine-day tournament in Colombia.
Despite accusations circulating online, Murkomen confirmed that there were no complaints from the players, managers, or officials during the layover.
The Ministry condemned the unauthorized recording that spurred the rumours, describing it as an invasion of privacy that misrepresented the actual situation.
“Unfortunately, someone abused their privileged access by capturing video content without consent, violating the team’s privacy and misrepresenting the situation as abandonment,” he said.
Looking forward, the Ministry expressed excitement over the team’s return, with Murkomen stating, “We look forward to welcoming them back at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.”
He commended Lufthansa for the respectful treatment of Kenya’s athletes and reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to the welfare and comfort of all national teams.
