Olympics: Kenyan Olympic board OKs reforms after IOC spat

Kenya's under-fire Olympic committee (NOCK) on Tuesday agreed to make changes to its constitution and call for fresh elections in May after its Rio Games debacle.

The committee's decision comes after it twice failed to reach consensus to enact the reforms, prompting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to freeze funding to Kenya earlier this month.

"We are happy that we have reached a unanimous agreement to save our country and the future of our youth," NOCK chief Kipchoge Keino told AFP.

"An independent electoral body will be named in the next seven days to oversee the NOCK elections which will be held on May 8."

The IOC assisted in the drafting of new laws following a national outcry over corruption and the treatment of the Kenyan team at last summer's Olympics.

The new document strips the incumbent NOCK executive committee members, including Kipchoge, of a voting monopoly which allowed them to maintain their grip on power.

Under the previous system, the 13 members of the executive committee each had a vote, while the 21 sports associations had one vote per body.

The new constitution also allows athletes to run for membership of the executive committee, whereas before only the heads of national sports associations were eligible.

Kenya's Sports Minister Hassan Wario disbanded the NOCK board after its disastrous handling of the Kenyan team during the Rio Olympics.

Five officials including secretary general Francis Kinyili Paul and Olympic team leader Stephen Arap Soi were later charged with various offences, ranging from mismanagement to stealing uniforms meant for the team.

Their cases are still pending in court.