Athletics Kenya official under investigations over Nike deal

Athletics Kenya Vice President David Okeyo is under investigations over alleged connection to the misappropriation of funds from a sponsorship deal between the association and sportswear company Nike.

Okeyo, who is also a member of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) ruling council, will be referred to the organisation’s ethics commission after it was revealed he is the subject of a police investigation in Kenya, according to Guardian.

The revelations mark another low for IAAF after allegations that former association president Lamine Diack, his son Papa Massata Diack, adviser Habib Cisse and former IAAF anti-doping chief Gabriel Dolle are being investigated by French police over allegations that they covered up doping cases in Russia.

In a statement, IAAF said that it was aware of the investigation facing Okeyo in Kenya noting that the information has been passed on to the independent IAAF ethics commission.

“As part of the root-and-branch governance reform project that the IAAF president Sebastian Coe has announced there will be new processes introduced to ensure all persons appointed to IAAF commissions and advisory groups in the future have been duly vetted and declared as fit and proper persons to hold office,” read the statement in part.

“Over 200 people were due to be appointed to new commissions and advisory groups at the council meeting at the end of this month but their appointment will now be delayed until the new procedures are in place.”

Reports on The Sunday Times from Nike spokesman stated that the firm had acted with integrity in its dealings with Athletics Kenya and that the expectation of the deal was that the funds would be used to support and service the teams and athletes.

The spokesman added that Nike was co-operating with the local authorities in their investigation.