Kenya’s Olympic chief Kipchoge Keino (L) has not been implicated in the investigations into the shambolic handling of Kenya’s Olympics © POOL/AFP/File / Pascal Le Segretain
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 16 – The International Olympic Committee has directed National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) through its chairman, Kipchoge Keino to convene an Extraordinary General Assembly to address and solve issues raised over mismanagement of Team Kenyan at the Rio Olympics.
The outcome was announced on Friday after a delegation from Kenya led by the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts Hassan Wario travelled to Lausanne, Switzerland to meet the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over disbandment of NOCK.
At the meeting where NOCK was represented by Kipchoge, vice chairman Ben Ekumbo, assistant secretary general James Chacha, member Paul Tergat and lawyer Sharad Rao, it was agreed that the Kenyan Olympic governing body conduct elections before December 31.
By IOC recognising Kipchoge and his board, it means NOCK is still functional contrary to Wario’s decision to disband it, hence Kenya staying safe from the ban unless they fail to adhere to the orders given.
Before calling for an Elective General Assembly to conduct free and fair elections, the current office will report on the outcomes of the joint meeting in Lausanne, address and clarify any issue raised in relation to the management of the NOCK delegation for the Olympic Games, considering the ongoing investigation process.
It was agreed that the Constitution of NOCK be reviewed and submit the proposed amendments to the IOC for approval in accordance with the Olympic Charter.
However, the process leading to the NOCK quadrennial elections must be agreed by all member federations at the General Assembly and conduct the polls in accordance with the newly approved NOCK Constitution.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario (left) and his Principal Secretary Richard Ekai when they appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Labor and Social Affairs on September 6, 2016. PHOTO/TIMOTHY OLOBULU
The roadmap will be placed under the full supervision of the IOC, in close coordination with NOCK and the Ministry of Sports.
“All parties will work hand in hand to implement this process in good faith and to ensure sustainable cooperation between the NOCK (including all national federations) and the Government of Kenya for the benefit of sport and the athletes of the country, with the full support of the international sports organisations concerned,” part of the statement read.
It’s yet to be seen how the decisions will be received by federations who last weekend held a meeting and suspended seven NOCK officials; legendary Kipchoge Keino, second vice chairman Pius Ochieng’, secretary general FK Paul, Chacha, treasurer, Fridah Shiroyah, assistant treasurer Stephen arap Soi and committee member Ann Njambi.
An interim committee was formed where Kenya Volleyball Federation boss Waithaka Kioni was elected chairman to run the affairs of the body until the end of the year.
Four of the seven NOCK officials; Ochieng’, FK Paul, Shiroyah and Soi have been charged with theft and abuse of office following the management of Team Kenya at the Rio Games and disappearance of Nike kit and are expected to return to court September 19 to plead to charges.
