Disgruntled athletes take over athletics headquarters

Members of Professional Athletes Association of Kenya demonstrate at the Athletics Kenya offices in Nairobi. (Photo: Fidelis Kabunyi/Standard)

Operations at Athletics Kenya (AK) Riadha House headquarters were Monday paralysed after the building was "taken over" by a group allied to Professional Athletics Association of Kenya.

The protesters led by the association’s Secretary General, Julius Ndegwa, stormed the premises shortly after 7.30am local time and went round the offices asking federation staff to leave.

They then locked the gate, denying everyone access to the headquarters located along Nairobi’s Aerodrome Road with the group growing to around 50 by midday as they plastered their banners and placards on the gates.

The athletes chanted, while carrying placards as they called for the resignation of top AK officials for letting the country down on doping issues and misappropriation of funds.

Policemen numbering about 20, watched the protestors from a distance. Speaking to the media, Julius Ndegwa said the protest will continue until AK officials quit.

“We have been here today and we will be there tomorrow until they quit and leave the sport,” he said.

Asked why they could not wait to change the officials through constitutional means, Ndegwa said they cannot wait for elections, which he claims, are always manipulated.

He said the association is concerned about the rise in doping cases and alleged misappropriation of funds.

“We believe AK has not done enough to deal with the doping issues, which continue to tarnish the names of Kenyan athletes. Our athletes are extremely talented and do not need to use drugs to win,” he said.

He also cited the on-going investigations by the CID against AK President Isaiah Kiplagat and his deputy David Okeyo as the more reasons they want the officials out. Okeyo is also being investigated by the IAAF ethics commission for allegedly siphoning over Sh70m from sponsors Nike.

Okeyo, who sits on the IAAF’s 26-person ruling council, and Kiplagat have denied the allegations, which they claim were made by a disgruntled former employee.

The IAAF has also revealed that it has been investigating alleged doping cover-ups in the country since March.

AK Vice President Jack Tuwei, who watched the protestors from a distance, said they do not recognise them. PAAK is headed by former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang.

“We do not recognise this group,” Jack Tuwei said.

The athletes said they were also pressing for PAAK to be given voting powers under a new AK Constitution whilst seeking recognition as the main body to manage athlete’s affairs.

Speaking separately, federation CEO, Isaac Mwangi, said; “We have not talked to them. We will listen to their grievances.”

Retired athletes, among them women’s 400m hurdles national record holder, Rose Tata Muya Tata, former African record holder in 3,000m, Justina Jepchirchir and Joshua Chelang’a, joined the protesters in a demonstration that did not feature any world famous athlete.

Former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang, who is PAAK’s chairman, was not present during the demonstrations.