Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged a major overhaul of Kenya’s education system to allow students with exceptional sports talent to focus on developing their abilities from an early age. Speaking during consultative talks with athletes from Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi at his home in Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi County, Kindiki questioned the relevance of forcing young sportspeople to spend years studying subjects unrelated to their careers.
“You’re teaching them mathematics, you’re teaching them history, you’re telling them about Vasco da Gama. Now, how does Vasco da Gama assist? This is a footballer,” he remarked, emphasizing that academic content should not delay the nurturing of clear sporting talent.
The Deputy President argued that students with evident potential in sports should be given opportunities to refine their skills and prepare for professional careers early, noting that athletes have limited career spans. “Why waste three years in high school for someone whose skill and talent is already clear?” he asked.
Kindiki highlighted that early specialization would allow young athletes to start earning a livelihood sooner and fully utilize their potential. “They start earning early, they use their talent early, because the retirement age for sports is quite early compared to other areas,” he said, stressing that a delayed focus on sports could undermine the ability of talented individuals to succeed professionally.
The Deputy President also assured athletes that the government is actively streamlining the sports sector to make it more profitable for those who rely on it as a primary source of income. He emphasized that the current focus on academics alone is outdated, noting that Kenya’s new curriculum is designed to nurture talent in sports and the creative industries from formative years to senior levels.
“We have concentrated much on academics and condemned those who are not good at it, yet they are excellent in sports and the creative industry,” Kindiki stated, advocating for a balanced education system that recognizes diverse abilities.
His remarks underscore a growing recognition in Kenya of the need to harness the potential of young athletes and provide an enabling environment that allows them to thrive, not only in school but in professional sports.
