The race to succeed Tergat at NOC-K heats up

NOC-K President Paul Tergat waves during the medal ceremony for the women's 10,000m athletics event during the 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium, in Birmingham. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

The race to succeed Paul Tergat as the President of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) is gaining momentum ahead of the upcoming elections slated for April 24, 2025.

With Tergat's term ending, NOC-K members have thrown their hats into the ring, positioning and realigning themselves for key roles within the association, setting the stage for intense political maneuvering.

Francis Mutuku, the current NOC-K Secretary General, has already publicly declared his intention to head the most influential sports post in Kenya.

Meanwhile, Shadrack Maluki, the president of the Kenya Judo Federation (KJF) and re-elected president of the Africa Judo Union (AJU), is also a potential contender, though he is yet to officially announce his candidacy. These two are expected to be among the leading candidates, with Mutuku leveraging his administrative experience and Maluki's influence in continental sports.

Several figures are positioning themselves for the vice-presidency, including Barnaba Korir, Athletics Kenya's youth development director, and NOC-K executive member as well as Nashon Randiak, president of the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) and and Antony Kariuki, NOC-K's current treasurer.

Other members of the current NOC-K executive are also eyeing positions. John Ogola of the Kenya Weightlifting Federation (KWF) and NOC-K's deputy treasurer is reportedly targeting the Secretary General role, where he is likely to face competition from Andrew Mudibo, the president of the Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA) and a member of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) board.

Former rugby sevens/fifteens star and current NOC-K Athlete's Representative Humphrey Kayange is in the race for the deputy Secretary General seat. Shoaib Vayani, the current deputy Secretary General, is positioning himself for the treasurer position, with Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chairman Paul Otula targeting to run for the deputy treasurer post.

In the other executive positions, various sports administrators are eyeing positions, including Charles Nyaberi of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), Nderitu Gikaria of the Kenya Handball Federation (KHF), Elynah Shiveka of the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU), Charles Mose of the Kenya Cycling Association (KCA), Francis Njeru Karugu of the Softball Federation of Kenya (SFK), Fred Chege of the Kenya Fencing Federation (KFF), and Suleiman Sumba of the Kenya Taekwondo Federation (KTF).

The race for women's representation is heating up with candidates such as Immaculate Kabutha, president of the Kenya Netball Federation (KNF), KVF's Miduda Waweru and veteran swimming administrator Winnie Kamau.

As the NOC-K General Assembly approaches, the candidates and their supporters are expected to form alliances, setting the stage for a dynamic and competitive election process.