Paul Tergat unopposed for NOC-K presidency

National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) President Paul Tergat is set to serve another fresh four-year term in office.

This is after he became the only candidate to be cleared for the presidential seat on Thursday ahead of the December 9 polls.

The Centre for Corporate Governance (CCG), who will preside over the elections said nobody came up to oppose Tergat when nominations closed on November 25 this year.

CCG Chief Executive Officer Joshua Okumbe disclosed that Tergat is among 26 candidates cleared for the elections out of 28 with the Sports Registrar also giving a node to 24 out of 26 federations for the process.

A Nairobi County Aquatic Association (NCAA) official Kenneth Karani was not cleared after he failed to be seconded by any NOC-K affiliates. Kenya Swimming Federation proposed Karani but seconded NCAA that isn't a NOC-K affiliate.

Agnes Oluoch, who is also the Kenya National Paralympics Committee (KNPC) president, was also not cleared after she failed to submit Certificate of Good Conduct. Oluoch was proposed by the Kenya Table Tennis Association.

However, Oluoch got a reprieve as she was told to submit her Certificate of Good Conduct on or before December 7 at 4pm in order to participate in the election.

In case Oluoch secures the certificate, she will face Kenya Amateur Weightlifting Association (KAWA) secretary general John Ogolla for the deputy treasurer position.

Badminton Kenya (BK) and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have been locked out of the Electoral Congress where 13 positions will be at stake.

The suspension by Badminton World Federation (BWF) automatically locks out BK, who have been engaged in leadership wrangles for the last five years, while the government has suspended FKF with a caretaker committee being put in place

Kenya Golf Union and Kenya Golf Federation were alongside Kenya Swimming Federation and Interim Management Committee have been requested to present a written agreement on their delegates for the Electoral Congress.

“The Sports Registrar has provided immense support in verifying the status and standing of the NOC-K affiliated members including their officials,” said Okumbe, adding that the Sports Registrar has also been available to provide solutions and way forward in areas of ambiguity or compliance amongst the sports federations.

The only other candidates who are unopposed besides Tergat are Athlete Representatives Humphrey Kayange (Male) and Hellen Obiri (Female).

Kenya Judo Federation President Shadrack Maluki is due to defend his seat as the First Deputy President against John Kilonzo, Director of Commercials at Kenya Rugby Union (KRU), and Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) chairman Nashon Randiek.

Second Deputy President Waithaka Kioni, who is the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) President, will defend his position against former legendary distance runner Tegla Loroupe. 

The Secretary General seat has attracted incumbent Francis Paul, current Deputy Secretary General Francis Mutuku and Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA) President Andrew Mudibo.

Kenya Amateur Weightlifting Association (KAWA) chairman Anthony Kariuki will defend treasurer position against Kenya Volleyball Deputy Treasurer Moses Mbuthia.

With Mutuku going up, the Deputy Secretary General post has now attracted Executive Committee member Shoaib Vayani, former Deputy Secretary General James Chacha and Soft Ball Federation official Francis Karugu.

Executive Committee member that has three slots has attracted seven candidates including incumbents Paul Otula, who is the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chairman, and Winnie Kamau.

Others contesting for the positions are Barnaba Korir (Athletics Kenya), Charles Mose (Kenya Cycling Federation), Benjamin Musa (Boxing Federation of Kenya) and Suleiman Sumba (Kenya Taekwondo Federation).