NAIROBI, Kenya, September 17- Wrangles in Athletics Kenya intensified with the collapse of a reconciliation meeting that was set to bring together the two at the federation’s Riadha House.
The meeting which was summoned by the AK boss Isaiah Kiplagat saw 14 affiliates walk out of the meeting after failing to concur on the contentious Special General Meeting (SGM) set by the latter for September 26.
After the stormy gathering that brought to the open deep divisions with the leadership of the federation, both parties refused to address the media as they moved to the offices of the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Arts and Culture, Dr. Hassan Wario for mediation.
The collapse of the Riadha House gathering was the clearest indication yet that Kiplagat, who has lorded over the federation for 21 years, has lost his grip on fellow National Executive Committee (NEC) members as well as leaders of affiliate branches.
Having been used to his word being law, Kiplagat stood by as the dissenters including two of his vice-presidents, David Okeyo and Paul Mutwii, who sang to his tune made the ringing statement with their feet in another act of defiance.
Sources at the meeting told Capital Sport that Wario directed the bickering officials to sort out their differences in house with the chairmen of all affiliates set for a meeting next Monday to unlock the impasse that has grounded operations at Riadha House.
On Friday, 15 affiliates ruled to convene the contentious SGM on September 26 that among other things, could lead to the ouster of the long-serving boss from office.
“Following the expiry of the 21-day notice we gave our president to call for the SGM, 15 affiliates met today (Friday) and agreed to call the meeting for Thursday, September 26 at a venue to be communicated later.
“The agenda of the SGM will be to discuss the contentious issues in the new AK constitution and other administrative issues affecting the running of the federation,” AK vice-president, Mutwii, who is the spokesman of the group pushing for the meeting stated.
Mutwii fell short of revealing whether a no confidence motion on Kiplagat who has been at the helm of one of the richest and successful federation in Kenya would feature at the SGM.
The AK boss has vehemently refused to call for the SGM as he pushes to institute reforms at the top level management of the federation that sees most functions carried out by elected officials being handled by hired professionals.
Already, Kiplagat has hired a CEO who took over administrative duties reserved for his first vice-president, David Okeyo, marketing and communication director who has rendered the elected Public Relations Officer, Evans Bosire redundant.
The president is in the process of enlisting the services of a Financial Manager expected to assume the role previously handled by the elected Treasurer.