Outgoing National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) president Paul Tergat has moved to allay concerns ahead of Thursday’s elections, promising a free, fair and transparent process.
On Tuesday, NOCK, in partnership with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), held a stakeholders’ forum ahead of the highly anticipated polls.
It involved the final review of the delegates' list, confirmation of nominated candidates, a step-by-step run-through of the voting process, a simulation exercise and ballot paper proofreading. NOCK delegates, approved candidates, the Sports Registrar and representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
"We want every stakeholder to feel confident in the process," Tergat said. "These final days are an opportunity for us to demonstrate integrity and unity as leaders in sports," he added.
Seasoned administrators, current First Vice President Shadrack Maluki and Secretary General Francis Mutuku, are the men leading the contest to succeed Tergat.
They have been in charge of their respective federations for some time, with Maluki the Judo Kenya Federation president and Mutuku the deputy president at Tennis Kenya.
Maluki, who has served as NOCK Vice President since 2017, when he was elected Second Vice President.
He assumed the role of First Vice following the death of the then First Vice, Waithaka Kioni, in 2023. He is campaigning under the slogan “Transform, Empower, Inspire.”
He has pledged to embrace an athlete-centred leadership, prioritising transparency, infrastructure development and athlete welfare.
"I will seek to create an athlete-centred leadership, where we will put the athlete first and at the heart of every decision," said Maluki. "I will seek to enhance athletes' representation in the decision-making processes."
His team has Athletics Kenya’s Barnaba Korir (first vice), Kenya Hockey Union President Nashon Randiek (second vice), Table Tennis boss Andrew Mudibo (secretary general) and Fred Chege of Kenya Fencing (treasurer).
Mutuku, who officially became Secretary General in 2021 after three years in an acting capacity, is pushing a forward-looking agenda, campaigning under the slogan “Serve, Innovate, Elevate.”
If elected, he hopes to change the legend narrative at NOCK as the third president after two legendary Olympians. Two-time Olympic gold and silver medallist Kipchoge Keino was succeeded by two-time Olympic silver medallist and five-time world cross country champion Tergat.
“Whereas I will be taking over from people who have been legends like Paul Tergat and Kipchoge Keino, I am not running on history. I am ready to break ranks with the past and offer the future to the Olympics committee,” Mutuku said earlier.
His lineup has Kenya Boxing Federation president Anthony ‘Jamal’ Ombok (first vice), treasurer Anthony Kariuki (second vice), John Ogolla (Secretary General), Humphrey Khayange (deputy Secretary General) and Mohamed Shoaib (treasurer).
