During the meeting that was attended by 19 out of 21 federations, it was agreed to suspend seven Nock officials following the Rio Olympics mess that befall Team Kenya.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 10 – Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) boss Waithaka Kioni has been appointed the interim chairman of National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) as the country’s sports umbrella body executive officials were suspended over the Rio fiasco.
During the meeting held on Saturday by sports federations, they resolved to suspend seven Nock officials following the Rio Olympics mess that befell Team Kenya to form the interim office.
This happened even after Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts, Hassan Wario disbanded Nock and delegated the duties to Sports Kenya, a move that was opposed by the federations.
The federations said they acted as per the constitution of Nock and asked Wario to rescind his decision of disbanding the Olympic sports umbrella body.
The affiliates mandated the interim committee to engage the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over their decision which they termed as constitutional.
The interim committee is composed of eight members who will run the office till December 31 and come up with a roadmap of a new and revamped Nock.
The meeting that was attended by 19 out of 21 federations suspended NOCK chairman the legendary Kipchoge Keino, second vice chairman Pius Ochieng’, secretary general FK Paul, assistant secretary general James Chacha, treasurer, Fridah Shiroya, assistant treasurer Stephen Arap Soi and committee member Ann Njambi.
Four of the seven Nock officials; Keino, Ochieng’, FK Paul, Shiroyah and Stephen Arap Soi have been charged with theft and abuse of office following the management of Team Kenya at the Rio Games and expected to return to court September 19 to plead to charges.
Those spared are first vice chairman Ben Ekumbo and committee members three times Boston Marathon champion Catherine Ndereba, former World marathon record holder Captain Paul Tergat, Tegla Loroupe and former Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) chairman Rehanm Singh Bains.
The caretaker committee is chaired by Kioni while Kenya Table Tennis Association President Andrew Mudibo is the secretary.
Other members are veteran journalist Elyna Shiveka (Kenya Hockey Union), Francis Mutuku (Kenya Lawn Tennis Association), John Kameta (Amateur Boxing Association of Kenya), General Jackson Tuwei (Athletics Kenya), Shadrack Maluki (Kenya Judo Association) and John Ogolla (Kenya Weightlifting Federation).
Only two federations; the Kenya Amatuer Cycling Association (KACA) and Kenya Badminton Federation were not represented.
