Delegates show fury: Maswai says Kiplagat has nothing new to offer Athletics Kenya

TOP: Athletics Kenya (AK) delegates Jonathan Koskei (left) and Paul Mutwii address a press conference in Nairobi. ABOVE: AK President Isaiah Kiplagat (left) and Sports Secretary Kiplimo Rugut. [PHOTOS: DENNIS OKEYO and PETER OCHIENG/ STANDARD]

Athletics Kenya (AK) delegates yesterday came out to castigate their President Isaiah Kiplagat for losing touch with the reality, saying his 38-year tenure at Riadha House will soon end unceremoniously.

The delegates, were reacting to Kiplagat’s media statement, that they have no experience on athletics management and should keep off the affairs of AK.

“We met as AK delegates. Out of the 61 delegates who elected him, over 40 were present and signed the petition to send him (Kiplagat) home. AK is a public office, not his private shop.

“For him to try and rope in active athletes and his people at home so that they may pledge to support him is a futile attempt. Many a time, these athletes have asked to be involved in the management of athletics or even take part in AGMs and were kicked out of AK meetings. Suddenly he has realised that he needs them,” said leader of AK Branch Chairmen Paul Mutwii.

The delegates said the pillars (delegates) that supported his candidacy have been removed and now Kiplagat is aware he stands exposed.

Kiplagat must vacate office or at the expiry of their 21-day notice, delegates will go ahead and kick him out. Already the delegates are collecting signatures to support and back their mission to revove their President.

writing on the wall

“We do not expect him to accept to leave Riadha House (AK headquarters) without a fight. We are prepared for the long haul. Kiplagat has even acknowledged that most of us were still in the wombs of our mothers when he came into athletics.

“He is now tired, timid and has nothing more to offer the sport. Good leaders prepare for their exit in smooth transition. It is not good to die in office for someone to take over from you. These very delegates, put him in the office, now they have become bad for asking for his departure,” said Nicholas Maswai, the AK Prisons Secretary General.

The delegates accused Kiplagat of basking in glory of individual athletes’ brilliance yet the federation has failed to employ a national coach or even come up with training camps to help nature and develop upcoming athletes. AK also can’t account for all financial grants it receives.

“Some of our coaches are rotting at home, a few lucky ones are escaping with young athletes to Gulf and Asian States. They have all been frustrated at Riadha House.

 

LEADERSHIP VACUUM

“AK does nothing to protect or help injured athletes. The same athletes use their own money for treatment yet when they win, Kiplagat is at hand to receive them and claim their glory. We need to wake up and put a stop to it,” said Mutwii.

“It is not every day that 14 AK branches can agree that he is not taking us forward? There is something wrong with his administration. We have a leadership vacuum. AK has made several false starts, we need to make a new turn.”

Indeed, Kiplagat’s last two years have been difficult as he fights to maintain his empire. But more often than not the greats go on too long, take one stride too many, one punch more than is good for them.

“And now, there will be no tape to his finish line that will tell the story of Kiplagat’s administration career any better than those already posted. He needs to learn to accept what the delegates, who elected him to office, are telling him. There is no perfect way to go, but go we must,” said an official.