Kiplagat unopposed for Athletics Kenya top seat

By FEVERPITCH REPOTER

Isaiah Kiplagat’s extended tenure at the helm of Athletics Kenya (AK) is set to continue beyond the May 14 national elections at a Nairobi hotel since he is unopposed for the top seat.

Kiplagat who has been at the helm of the federation since 1992 is the only incumbent National Executive Committee (NEC) member who has been given a clean run for office following the conclusion of the April 30 and May 3 County and Regional elections.

Okeyo, whose post has been abolished under the new federation constitution, has thrown his hat in the ring for one of the four vice-chairmen post where he is due to face sitting deputies, Lt Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei and Paul Mutwii.

Those positions have also attracted Kenya Police AK chief, Jonathan Koskei and incumbent Committee Member and renowned coach, Dan Muchoki.

The vice-chairperson’s post reserved for women has attracted four contestants with sitting Women’s Representative, Mary Chege facing off with Coast’s Fatuma, former Nairobi AK chair, Sarah Kiwanuka and Rose Moturi.

Having been in charge of the federation coffers since 1996, Joseph Kinyua, who clinched the AK Eastern Region chairmanship unopposed, has his Central counterpart, David Miano to contend with in the race for the Honorary Treasurer’s seat.

Kinyua’s assistant, Dimi Kisaru, who captured the Coast Region’s AK chairmanship will be challenged by the man he dethroned from the position, Western Region boss, Frank Afundi and AK Eastern pair, Celesetin Githumbu and Moses Ndambi.

Nyanza South Region chairman, Peter Angwenyi, a two-term Public Relations Officer at the federation faces a stiff battle to retain his seat since he has to prevail over AK administration Police chief, Samson Katam and newly elected Kisii region chair, Evans Bosire.

The crowded field in the NEC elections relate to the Committee Members seats where 12 men and seven women are vying for four available positions.