All is well within AK federation, says Isaiah Kiplagat

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Embattled Athletics Kenya (AK) chairman Isaiah Kiplagat yesterday put on a brave face and declared all was well at the Riadha House based federation.

Kiplagat (pictured below), who has been on the receiving end from branch officials over his leadership style in athletics however, said they will head for a retreat in Naivasha to discuss the issues. It is after Naivasha meeting that AK will decide if it’s prudent to call a special general meeting.

“The retreat will review AK strategic plan and will also discuss Team Kenya performance from last year in various championships to realise the areas to improve on. We will also see if there are issues that can prompt us to call for an SGM. As per now all things are good,” he said.

Kiplagat reaffirmed his support in the newly recruited staff — Chief Executive Officer and Marketing and Communication manager — at the federation saying it’s the best way to go in modern digital era.

New constitution

About 14 of the 16 AK affiliates want the new constitution dropped and return to the previous one as the current one doesn’t represent their views.

The affiliates also want the new staff, together with the Chief Accountant and Personal Assistant positions, scrapped. They said they add no value to the federation management.

“The Sh5 million to be paid to two hired workers (CEO and Communication and Marketing officers) in a year should be equally distributed to the 16 affiliates who only receive Sh7 million annually to develop athletics in the grassroots,”  AK Vice President Paul Mutwii   said last week.

Kiplagat, who chaired yesterday’s AK executive committee meeting attended by committee members Barnaba Korir, Elizabeth Keitany, Benjamin Njoga,  and David Okeyo, Jackson Tuweii, Fatuma Awale (vice presidents) and Public Relations Officer Evans Bosire said the committee unanimously agreed Team Kenya performance at the IAAF World Championship in Moscow was successful.