Kenyans not allowed to pocket cash prizes, unless...

Kenyan runners must obtain working permits if they want to continue receiving monetary rewards from winning local races.

This was the opinion of Bureau of Immigration Inteligence Division Executive Officer Carlito M. Bautista who sent local organizers a letter stressing that "...under our existing laws and regulations pertaining to aliens coming into the country for purposes other than pleasure states that no professional athletes shall engage in any form of gainful empoyment, unless he or she obtains an alien employment permit issued by the Department of Labor and Employmenbt (DOLE) and pre-arrange employment visa under Immigration Act, Section 9 (g) issued by competent authorities of hte bureau, for thow who shall exceed one (1) year."

The Immigration officer, in a letter dated May 9, 2011, added that foreign nationals  who shall compete in the Philippines for less than a year must obtain a provisional permit from the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) or the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Bautista came out with the opinion following an inquiry by  local athletes Helen Castillo and Bernardo Desamito Jr. asking the  Bureau to look into the status of Kenyans who are competing in local running events and pocketing monetary rewards even without proper documents.

Castillo and Desamito provided the Bureau with a list of Kenyans who are competing in local races supposedly without the proper permits. 

The list include Daniel Kepkemei Koringo, Josphat Keptanui Too, Benjamin Kipkazi Arusei, Philip Ronoh Kepkemei, Willy Kepkemei Rotich, James Tallam, Freadrick Mwinerirma Mathiu, Abraham Missos, Stanley Ting, Ellud Kiprugut Kering, Willy Tanui, Douglas Mwiti, David Kipsanp, Albert Omboga, Irene Jeptoo Kipchumba, Susan Jemutai and Peris Chepkech Poywoo.

Bautista said the Kenyans can continue participating in local races but until they obtain proper documents, they are not allowed to pocket monetary earnings.

"There is no legal hindrance for them to join competitions provided they are exempted from cash prize winnings as this would be interpreted as engaging in gainful activity," Bautista explained.