The Embassy of France in Nairobi has broken its silence following pressure from a section of Kenyans demanding for provision of Visa details for all people heading to France ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In a statement on Thursday, July 11, 2024, the French Embassy took its stand on revealing the Visa applicants, further clarifying its role in the application, processing and handling of Visa details.
According to the Embassy, respecting the privacy and conformity of the applicants is one of its top priorities, which in turn does not allow it to communicate the personal information of Visa applicants.
“The Embassy of France endeavors to welcome athletes and fans from all around the world to Paris, by processing visa applications while respecting conformity and privacy rules. It is important to underline that the role of the Embassy of France in Kenya is limited to granting visas to those who submit valid applications,” read part of the statement.
“The Embassy is bound by obligations regarding respect of privacy and personal data protection, and thus cannot communicate or publish the personal information of visa applicants.”
The Embassy has maintained that France looks forward to hosting the world at the Paris Olympics, adding that Miramas is particularly keen and ready to host Team Kenya as they prepare for the games.
French Embassy Issues Statement
Additionally, the Embassy highlighted that all Embassies of France across the world have been putting great efforts into processing visa applications.
This is to ensure that the various Olympic and Paralympic teams, as well as supporters, can compete and witness legendary athletic performances in Paris this year.
“As the host country of the 2024 Olympic Games, it is France’s commitment and honor to welcome athletes, fans, and visitors from all around the world and to bring the global sporting community together in Paris, in a spirit of openness and inclusivity. The Embassy of France wishes Team Kenya the best of luck in Paris,” the statement adds.
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Namwamba Bows to Pressure
The statement comes after former Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba deflected pressure to release the full list of all the people slated to travel to France, to the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K).
Ex-CS Namwamba in a statement issued earlier on Thursday, stated that NOCK was given the daunting task of following a Preparatory and Management Committee (PMC) to iron out logistics ahead of the Paris competitions.
According to him, NOC-K has been tasked with compiling a finalized list of the athletes, officials, and medics who will be travelling, as well as detailing each member’s specific role.
“The delegation to be kept at the barest minimum as directed by myself and affirmed by the PMC. The priority is athletes, their coaches and medics,” said Namwamba.
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The Olympics committee was also tasked with providing full details of the trip’s budget, including the actual number of qualified athletes, a revised scale of allowances, and athlete rewards while remaining within the ministry’s austerity guidelines.
Ex-CS Namwamba had come under intense public pressure from Kenyans who were concerned that he would include tens of unnecessary hangers-on on the trip.
Uproar From Kenyans in France
Meanwhile, Kenyans in France particularly the younger generations have sworn to assist in deporting individuals while expressing their outrage in a statement on Thursday.
This came following revelations that NOC-K had extended an invitation to 11 Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) to the Olympics as part of the cheering squad.
Consequently, this move sparked outrage among the Kenyan diaspora in France, who are calling for prioritization of athletes and transparency.
“Kenyan Gen Z and Millennials in France are outraged by the presence of non-essential staff and joyriders from Kenya in Paris,” they declared.
They further threatened to “frog-march these individuals back to Kenya from Charles de Gaulle Airport, according to the statement.
In addition, the group criticized the extravagant expenditure on the residence of Team Kenya in France, highlighting the Ksh50 million spent on renting Kenya House for just 10 days.
They further highlighted that the amount could have been better utilized to support the athletes, who are the true ambassadors of Kenya.
The group further demanded that the Ministry of Sports clarify the activities planned at Kenya House and release a detailed budget breakdown that would directly benefit the athletes.
“Priority must be given to our athletes, not joyriders or non-essential personnel.”
A total number of 83 athletes had qualified for the Paris Games as of June 30, 2024, representing Kenya in disciplines such as athletics, rugby sevens, judo, fencing, volleyball, and swimming.
Kenya’s Rugby Sevens team, Shujaa, have since pitched camp at Miramas, France where they are to undergo their intensive training ahead of the Olympic Games.
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