Olympic dream on hold as court blocks crucial NOC-K elections again
The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) Secretary General Francis Mutuku (left), NOC-K President Paul Tergat (centre) and NOC-K first Deputy President Shadrack Maluki attending the Special General Meeting at Westlands Banquet Centre in Nairobi on March 12, 2025.
Sports stakeholders will have to wait longer for the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) elections following a petition filed at the Eldoret High Court.
On Monday, Justice Reuben Nyakundi directed NOC to file responses to issues raised by the petition to be served to all parties within seven days before the hearing and determination of the matter.
The petition has been filed by Kenya Triathlon Federation President Joyceline Nyambura and three others.
Justice Nyakundi directed NOC-K to file a response to facilitate an effective hearing of the matter and determination due to its significance in the local sports fraternity.
During the case management hearing, lawyers representing NOC-K, Juliah Kiget and Wilson Arusei told the court that they were ready to comply with the court’s directive.
“We here today because of a constitutional petition filed by Joyceline Nyambura and three others against the NOC-K election. We have been given directions with regard to filing responses to petitioners before hearing of the matter on July 2, and we are ready to comply,” said Ms Kiget.
Ms Nyambura moved to court on Thursday seeking orders stopping the election which was to be held on June 19 due to what she termed “wrongful exclusion from participating in the election”.
Nyambura, who is the president of the Kenya Triathlon Federation, filed the case under a certificate of urgency.
Justice Nyakundi has directed the matter to be heard on July 2.
It is the second time the High Court has postponed the exercise after four federations; the Kenya Volleyball Federation, Kenya Triathlon Federation, Kenya Taekwondo Federation, and Kenya Handball Federation, disagreed with the modalities of voting.
Initially, NOC-K Secretary General Francis Mutuku had indicated that the Kenyan Olympics body was determined to settle the impasse, terming it “political jittery and gimmicks from the factions involved.”
A camp calling itself New Dawn, led by current 1st Vice President Shadrack Maluki, had initially raised concerns with their opponents, accusing them of meddling with the electoral process.
In the elections, NOC-K’s First Vice Chairman Shadrack Maluki and outgoing Sec Gen Francis Mutuku are locked in a tight contest for the chairmanship.
The post of First Vice President has attracted NOC-K Executive Member Barnaba Korir, and Boxing Federation of Kenya chairman Anthony Ombok, alias Jamal.