NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya's director of public prosecutions says distance-running great Kip Keino and six other former officials will be charged with corruption relating to the alleged misappropriation of more than $545,000 that was meant to help fund the country's team at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Keino, a trailblazer for Kenyan runners and a gold medalist in the 1,500 meters at the 1968 Olympics, was head of the national Olympic committee until last year. Kenya's former minister of sport, Hassan Wario, is also one of the ex-officials the public prosecutor says will be charged, as is Stephen Arap Soi, the team leader at the Rio Games.
Director of public prosecutions Noordin Haji said the seven have until the end of Monday to report to the headquarters of the directorate of criminal investigations (DCI) or they will be arrested. The prosecutor ordered them to then be arraigned in court.
Kenya's preparations for the Rio Games were marred by allegations that officials stole money meant to pay for athlete travel, accommodation and other expenses.
Haji said the DCI, a special crimes unit, had been investigating the allegations since late 2016. After nearly two years, Haji said he was "satisfied that there is sufficient evidence" to charge the seven.
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