Dr. Kipchoge ‘suspension’ lifted, Nock elections set for Dec. 3

The interim committee of the National Olympic Committee- Kenya (NOCK) has lifted its suspension of chairman Dr. Kipchoge Keino to allow him convene an Extra Ordinary Meeting that will discuss a roadmap for reform and subsequent fresh elections.

It has also set December 3 as the date for fresh Nock elections to usher in a new office to run the organisation in an effort to beat the December 31 deadline set to Kenya by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to find a way forward or risk a ban from Tokyo 2020 Games.

The statement signed by Interim Secretary General, Andrew Mudibo and sent to newsrooms on Thursday maintained the suspension of other National Executive Committee officials remains in force.

“The suspension of Dr. Kipchoge Keino that the Nock General Assembly passed on 10th September 2016 is the only one that is lifted without prejudice.

“This will enable him to call for the Extra Ordinary Meeting that was part of the agreement between the Kenya Government, the International Olympic Committee and Dr. Kipchoge. The lifting of the suspension will be ratified in the next General Assembly that will be held,” the statement read.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Nock boss, Dr. Kipchoge said Sports Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Hassan Wario was yet to communicate with him and issue a joint statement as the Wednesday deadline he had set for discussion to avert an IOC ban elapsed.

“We have to sit down first with our NEC and see what we are going to do. We have to get a local solution. I welcome the decision by the courts to allow our officials to continue their duties.

“They had no mistake; they were working and managing the team, what was the mistake? The Minister was supposed to (reach him) because he was the complainant. We could not have a report from Rio 2016 if the officials could not come to the office,” the Olympics Laureate added.

Dr. Kipchoge will leave for the Vatican next week to join IOC bosses at a fete to honour sportspersons and made it clear he would not petition for the country to be banned.

However, he underlined the country would have to wait longer for the report into Rio 2016 Olympics whose aftermath saw Wario disband Nock on August 27 following claims of mismanagement of funds and theft of kit to kick-start the impasse with IOC.

“We have to sit down and do the other things we were asked like changing the constitution and sending it to IOC to approve before doing anything,” the two-time Olympics champion added.

In their communication, the Interim Committee headed by Kenya Volleyball Chairman, Waithaka Kioni, spelt out a timeline of activity that will culminate in their proposed December 3 elections.

According to them, a draft new constitution for Nock will be tabled to the Interim Committee by lawyers on Saturday before it is sent to all affiliate federations on Monday when they will hold a meeting to go through the proposed document.

October 17 has been set as the limit for federations to submit their proposals for amendment to the draft and ten days later, a meeting is set for all stakeholders to discuss the new set of laws to govern the crisis-hit national Olympics body.

A Special General Meeting to adopt and validate the new constitution and appointing an independent election board who will oversee the elections is planned for October 29.

On Wednesday, three top Nock officials were charged with offences related to the Rio 2016 Olympics scandal with Team Kenya Head of Mission, Stephen arap Soi facing five counts of stealing over Ksh25m shillings from the Government, Athletics Kenya and his organisation set aside for the Brazil Summer Games.

Nock Secretary General, Francis Kinyili Paul and First Vice-Chairman, Pius Ochieng were jointly charged with misappropriating kit from sponsors Nike.

Another, Treasurer Fridah Shiroya, was acquitted of all charges the day before and lined-up as a State witness.