NAIROBI, April 13 – Long serving Athletics Kenya (AK) president, Isaiah Kiplagat has stepped down for three months to campaign for the IAAF Vice-President post when the world governing body holds its next congress just before the start of the August summer World Championships in Beijing, China.
Kiplagat who has been at the helm of the most successful federation in the country for over two decades announced on Monday he will end his uninterrupted 23-year tenure as the national federation boss if he gets elected to the IAAF post.
Consequently, AK’s Executive Committee appointed Vice-President in charge of Youth Development Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei as acting president effective May 1 when Kiplagat will leave office.
“You know I’m a candidate for first Vice-President of IAAF and for that matter I need time to reflect on that and to see the way forward. I have to submit for my manifesto which I’m working on and for that I have been allowed by the Executive Committee to take three months leave from 1st May after our AGM on 30th of this month.
“If I succeed; then those acting will be confirmed but even if I don’t I’m sure they will be confirmed because It may not be necessary for me to come back anyway. So in any case I remain a member of the council of IAAF I will still be an Executive Member of AK,” Kiplagat who was elected in the office for the first time in 1992 to succeed Mike Boit declared.
He added, “From now you will not see me here (Riadha House), if you see me I will be transacting business relating to my campaign and or matters concerning IAAF.”
“The Executive Committee endorsed the candidature of Mr. Kiplagat and also made adjustments to the Executive Committee composition owing to the absence of the President Mr. Isaiah Kiplagat. In line with the AK constitution 2013 the following will now hold office in an acting capacity starting 1st May 2015,” communication from the federation said in a statement.
Paul Mutwii was appointed Senior Deputy President while vice president in charge of administration, David Okeyo and Fatuma Hawale who is the head of corporate affairs and communication retained their roles.
Lawyer Genaro Kibet from South Rift was promoted as an acting vice-president with Dennis Kimetto as a co-opted as a Committee Member.
Kiplagat will face main opposition from United Arab Emirates Athletics president, Ahmad al Kamali among others .
INTERIM AK OFFICE
1. President – Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei
2. Senior Vice President – Paul Mutwii
3. Vice President – David Okeyo
4. Vice President – Fatma Awale
5. Vice President – Jinaro Kibet
6. Member – Dennis Kimetto