The Kenya Swimming Federation elections will be held on July 8 at Moi Stadium, Kasarani, according to FINA Kenya Stabilisation Secretariat team leader, Michael Otieno
Otieno said World Aquatics has approved the date, giving the Stabilisation Committee a one-week extension from the earlier deadline of June 30.
“World Aquatics has given us the go-ahead. Our mandate was to conclude at the end of the month and we hope that come the next month, we will return the sport to its owners,” said Otieno.
He said the Elections Board will be announced on Saturday with the mandate of conducting the polls.
“The board members will be announced on Saturday with the aim of conducting elections in a fair and transparent manner,” observed Otieno.
Otieno was non-committal on how many counties have registered for the elections. “It will be premature for me to talk about the counties. That is something the Elections Board will announce on Saturday as it is in their jurisdiction,” he added.
Otieno said the election will be held under the new constitution. “The polls will be held under the new Constitution and my hope is that stakeholders, coaches, teachers parents, clubs, and counties can seize the moment and hold the elections so that sport can move forward,” added Otieno.
Kenya has been under suspension for the last two years after failing to conduct elections in the past seven years following the resignation of long-serving chairman Ben Ekumbo. Kenyan swimmers have been competing under the neutral flag due to the suspension.
Elsewhere, KSF Kiambu County is seeking to launch a program that would see the sport introduced in institutions mostly public schools in informal sectors and slums across the county.
According to KSF Executive Committee member, Joseph Ndungu, the move is aimed at ensuring equity in terms of performance at both public and private school levels thus giving students an equal opportunity to participate competitively in major championships.
“We need to keep a sustained effort to introduce young children to swimming and drive the important message that learning to swim can save your life,” said Ndungu.
