NAIROBI, Kenya, April 26 – Incumbent first vice-chairman, Charles Nyaberi was toppled as Waithaka Kioni retained the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) chairmanship for the third term following heated national polls held Saturday at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.
The Confederation of Africa Volleyball vice-chairman won by a land slide after garnering 84 votes against his challenger Metropolitan Region Secondary Schools Sports Association vice-secretary, Moses Mbuthia, who got three in an exercise that was preceded over by Kenya National sports Council chairman Nderitu Gikaria.
Nyaberi who served for the last two terms was the only candidate who failed to recapture his seat after losing by a single vote to former national vice-chair Martin Makhoha who received 44 votes in the closely contested affair.
Kipkemei Sirma retained his post as second vice-chairman after getting 79 votes, trouncing Western Committee member, Ibrahim Efumbi, who garnered six votes as national men volleyball spiker, Philip Maiyo, managed to get only two votes.
Incumbent Secretary General, Evans Wasike, was elected unopposed while immediate treasurer Kenneth Tonui, retained his seat after flooring South Rift vice-chairman Isaac Tirop who polled 41.
Acting Organising Secretary, Ismael Chege will assume the role on permanent tearms after getting 73 votes against challenger John Oronge’s 14.
“I express gratitude to the entire volleyball fraternity for once again demonstrating their confidence in my leadership.
“Over the last four years the biggest asset we have been able to craft in the federation is a good reputation that has enabled us be stable and going forward we shall energize our efforts to secure corporate partners for us to raise the standard of volleyball in the country since resources remain a big challenge to us,” Kioni said in his acceptance speech.
“We will introduce under age competitions at international volleyball level for age groups under 17, 21 and 23 where we will partner with Kenya National Secondary School Sports Association to nature talent.
“Our main focus will be to revamp beach volleyball and at the same time we will be lobbying with the Government to ensure our national teams access the indoor public facilities,” he added.
OFFICE BAERES
Chairman: Waithaka Kioni
1st Vice-chairman: Martin Makhoha
2nd Vice-chairman: Kipkemei Sirma
Secretary General: Evans Wasike
Deputy Secretary General: Ben Juma
Treasurer: Kenneth Tonui
Deputy Treasurer: Martin Kimondo
Organising Secretary: Ismael Chege
Deputy Organising Secretary Ndirangu Gwanya
Committee members
1. Emily Mbotela
2. Joseph Kosgei
