DNK International By Our Reporter,Nairobi
For years, Ambassador Peter Kirimi Kaberia was known more for diplomacy, journalism and public administration than controversy, rising through Kenya’s public service to become one of the country’s most experienced government officials.
But his long public service career has now entered a difficult chapter after the former Principal Secretary for Sports Development was charged at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court over alleged irregularities involving Sh330.6 million linked to preparations for the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Kaberia, together with other former sports officials, denied the charges levelled against them and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
His journey to the centre of the sports controversy is a remarkable one.
Before joining the senior ranks of government, Kaberia built a career that cut across journalism, international affairs, diplomacy and African leadership development.
According to his official biography seen by DNK-International, Kaberia studied at Daystar University where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications.
He then pursued further studies at Marquette University in the United States.
Kaberia also studied at the Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía in Spain.
His professional life began in journalism.
During the 1990’s, he worked as an international journalist, with records linking him to the BBC and the Washington Times.
His journalism career gave him extensive exposure to African affairs, international security and American foreign policy.
He moved into African leadership and development work before entering Kenya’s diplomatic service.
His career later took him to several diplomatic missions, including postings in Europe, the United States and Latin America.
Kaberia served as Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil, with concurrent accreditation to several South American countries.
He also served in diplomatic positions in France, Spain and the United States.
His diplomatic career established him as a public servant with extensive international contacts and experience in government to government relations.
His transition into senior government administration saw him serve in different ministries as Principal Secretary.
He became Principal Secretary for Sports Development in 2017, a position he held during a period when Kenya was seeking to improve sports infrastructure, strengthen talent development and prepare to host major continental competitions.
Kaberia was at the centre of government discussions surrounding Kenya’s preparations to host CHAN 2018.
His tenure coincided with ambitious plans to upgrade stadiums and improve the country’s ability to host international sporting events.
The CHAN preparations would later become the subject of investigations and, years later, criminal proceedings.
As Sports PS, Kaberia frequently spoke about the need to transform Kenya’s sporting sector beyond athletics and football into a more organised industry capable of creating jobs and opportunities for young people.
He also emphasised the importance of infrastructure, talent development and international sporting events in positioning Kenya as a competitive sporting nation.
In one of his engagements concerning Kenya’s sporting ambitions, Kaberia described government commitment to major sporting projects as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s position in international sport.
His public engagements reflected a broader argument that sports should be treated not merely as entertainment but as an important component of national development and youth empowerment.
His tenure, however, was also marked by criticism over Kenya’s failure to adequately prepare some of the facilities required for CHAN 2018.
The stadium question became particularly contentious as deadlines approached, with football administrators and government officials facing increasing pressure over Kenya’s hosting preparedness.
Despite the controversies surrounding individual projects, Kaberia left the Sports docket with a reputation as an administrator who viewed sport through a wider development lens.
After leaving the Sports docket, he continued his rise in government.
He served as Principal Secretary for Mining and Petroleum before later becoming Principal Secretary for Industrialisation.
His movement across several ministries demonstrated the confidence successive administrations placed in his administrative and diplomatic experience.
His career has also included work connected to foreign policy, economic diplomacy and international cooperation, making him an unusual figure in Kenya’s public service because of his combination of journalism, diplomacy and government administration.
Beyond government, Kaberia has been associated with African leadership development initiatives.
At one time he was involved in programmes aimed at developing African leaders and received the Les Aspin Center for Government Founder’s Award in 2011.
He was also later awarded the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), one of national honours.
Kaberia’s environmental interests have also attracted attention.
He’s been involved in tree planting initiatives around the Mount Kenya region which reflects another side of a public servant whose career has extended beyond conventional government administration.
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🗓️ [DNK-International@September 9,2026]
