The Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) has directed the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), to conducted the highly anticipated elections slated for 19th June without any hitches ,failure to which the Ministry of Sports will have form a normalization committee.

This directive by the SDT follows the dismissal of a petition challenging the legitimacy of the incumbent NOC-K Executive Board, whose term had effectively expired.

The SDT’s ruling addressed key legal questions, scrutinizing whether the tenure of the NOC-K Executive Committee had lapsed and, if so, whether their continued operation pending elections was justifiable under the principles of continuity and transitional necessity.

Furthermore, the tribunal considered the merits of various claims brought by different parties, particularly in light of the scheduled elections and the reasons behind their initial postponement from April 24.

With 13 elective positions open for contest, Thursday’s polls are poised to be a watershed moment for Kenyan sports governance.

The highly anticipated presidential race features a direct confrontation between the outgoing Secretary General, Francis Mutuku, and the outgoing First Vice President, Shadrack Maluki. Both candidates have presented distinct platforms, with Mutuku emphasizing innovation and athlete-centric policies, while Maluki, who served as Chef de Mission for Paris 2024, advocates for a comprehensive reform agenda.

Another significant contest is for the First Deputy President’s post, where Anthony Otieno Ombok, popularly known as Jamal, the President of the Boxing Federation of Kenya, will compete against Barnaba Kipyego Korir, a prominent figure from Athletics Kenya.

Korir is noted for his role in youth development within Athletics Kenya and has previously served as an executive member of NOC-K.

The successful and transparent execution of these elections is paramount. The SDT’s clear warning underscores the urgent need for a legitimate and stable leadership within NOC-K, a critical step to ensure the continued development of Kenyan athletes and to avert any potential sanctions from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has expressed concerns over past delays.

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