End of an era as Nock top brass locked out of elections

The forthcoming National Olympics Committee of Kenya (Nock) polls assumed another indistinct face barely two days before officials go to the ballot.

In the final list of aspirants released by the Nock electoral board on Wednesday, only one Executive Committee Member, Francis Kinyili Paul, is up for re-election yet his fate still hangs in the balance.

Paul, who is the embattled national body’s Secretary General, is racing against time to get clearance from the Kenya Revenue Authority in less than 48 hours.

His counterparts in exco, Stephen Kiptanui arap Soi and James Chacha have been barred from vying in any position with the two all-powerful officials embroiled in a tug of war over the control of the Kenya Taekwondo Federation.

The two who are among four Nock officials charged with theft of multi millions and sports regalia linked to the 2016 Rio fiasco have now been torn asunder with the Taekwondo federation struck off the list of voting federations.

In the announcement made the NOCK elections board late Wednesday evening, the process of vetting the candidates and federations was not easy.

“In view of promoting credibility through transparent free and fair elections, the nomination and verification process was very critical.

“The NOCK Electoral Board was presented with several cases of double representation and was therefore tasked to make decision on who is to carry the vote on behalf of the federations and the candidates that shall participate during the election,” the statement read.

Due to this, Taekwondo Federation and the Kenya cycling Federation were locked out of the vote.

Kenya swimming federation has requested to be allowed to pick its delegates on Thursday 4th May in the morning as they are yet to agree on the delegates to attend the election and vote.

A total of 11 positions will be fought for at the elections to be held at a Nairobi hotel on Friday May 5 starting 10:30a.m local time (+3GMT).

Paul Tergat is the Nock President in waiting as he is unopposed after incumbent Dr. Kipchoge Keino failed to formalize his reelection bid.

The same goes for the male athlete representative where rugby player Humphrey Kayange is unopposed. 5000m athlete Hellen Obiri also goes in unopposed as the female athlete representative.

The three positions for elected member will be filled by Paul Otula, the chairman of the Kenya Basketball Federation, Mohammed Shoiab of Kenya Sports Shooting Federation and Catherine Ndereba of Athletics Kenya as they are the only ones who showed interest in vying.

In the first deputy president position, Shadrack Maluki from the Kenya Judo Association has been cleared to vie against Nashon Randiek from the Kenya Hockey Union.

The second deputy president position will be a tough war between Kenya Volleyball Federation chairman Waithaka Kioni and Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei.

In the powerful secretary general position, favourite Andrew Mudibo, the Kenya Table Tennis Association president will square it out withJohn Kilonzo, a director at the Kenya Rugby Union.

Incumbent F.K Paul is sweating over a KRA clearance certificate that might lock him out if he fails to get the crucial document by close of business on Thursday May 4th.

Kilonzo’s candidature is interesting because his own chairman, Richard Omwela is part of ‘Team Tergat’ that will be voting for Mudibo.

The Deputy Secretary General position has attracted three candidates, all cleared to vie. They are John Ogola of Kenya Amateur Weight Lifting Association, Francis Mutuku of Tennis Kenya and Timothy Nabea of Kenya Football Federation.

The treasurer’s position has three candidates and only one of those is male. Ann Njambi of Kenya Badminton Federation will square it out with Elyna Shiveka of Kenya Hockey Union and Eliud Kariuki of Kenya Amateur Weightlifting Association.

Tags:

Paul Tergat NOCK Dr. Kipchoge Keino Stephen arap Soi FK Paul James Chacha National Olympics Committee- Kenya (Nock)

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