By Jonathan Komen
Former athletes are asking the Government to come up with a speedy solution over Athletics Kenya election stalemate.
The former global track stars, who were led by former world 5,000m champion Benjamin Limo, called on the Government to stop interfering with AK affairs.
Former Olympic 1,500m champion Noah Ng’eny, also the AK athletes’ representative, was among a host of global track stars, who met at Riadha House in a lengthy meeting yesterday afternoon.
In Eldoret, 1992 Olympic 3,000m steeplechase bronze medalist William Mutwol said political interests should not derail the successful running of the federation.
But Limo, who is also the IAAF Athletes’ representative, said the athletics fraternity blames Sports and Youth Affairs Permanent Secretary James Waweru for the AK woes.
SHOW RESPECT
“The PS blew the first trumpet that raised the alarm. We know he has no power to interfere with AK matters. He should respect AK since athletes are fairly represented,” he said.
Limo said although athletes salute former Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba for spearheading the ascended Sports Bill, the law will take time to gain root in the sport.
“He did the right thing even as AK has come up with a harmonised constitution. But unfortunately some few individuals want to taint the image of Kenyan athletics, which has reputation in global circles,” he said.
He added: “Athletics has brought glory to this country, so let us keep politics from the sport. As an athlete, you run as an individual; bring glory to the country.”
Limo, a former Kenya Defence Forces soldier, said they respect the rule of law.
Wait for verdict
“We respect the courts and will wait for their verdict. And immediately after this, we will embark on the business of preparing athletes for World Youth (in Donetsk, Ukraine) and World Athletics Championships (in Moscow, Russia) in July and August. Time is not on our side,” he said.
On Monday, AK voters were shocked to realise the County elections had been stopped by a court injunction.
A court order issued by Nairobi Resident Magistrate Charity Kipkorir at the Milimani Law Courts temporarily stopped AK from holding its election at County level in an application that was made by one Flair Kioko from Eastern.
Kioko, through Mutisya Ngala and Company Advocates, served AK headquarters with the court order on Monday evening.
It listed AK as the first respondent while AK President Isaiah Kiplagat was the second defendant in the application.
Limo said the interference may affect the athletics fraternity, including performance of athletes.
“Kenya’s football woes were caused by such scenarios. They better be ware of such, lest they want to kill AK,” he added.
