Counties set for Boxing Federation of Kenya elections

As the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) go to polls this morning starting with counties, hotly contested elections are expected in Nakuru, one of the hotbeds of Kenyan boxing.

Five counties that have adhered to the 2010 Sports Act are scheduled to have their elections today.

They are Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Laikipia and Kisumu County Boxing Associations.

Elected officials from the five branches will thereafter team up with those from Kenya Police, Kenya Defence Forces and Kenya Prisons to elect national officials in polls to be conducted at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on March 1.

The polls will give officials a new mandate of another four years after the failed polls last year owing to unavoidable circumstances, which included lack of enough registration of clubs by the Sports Registrar.

And as the branches prepare for the polls, Nakuru County Boxing Association chairman Isaac Mbote faces former boxer and National Intelligence Service top official Martin Luther in what pundits term as one of the toughest battles in the BFK branch polls this year.

Luther is the Sombea Boxing Club boss. Both officials exuded confidence of winning the top seat in readiness for the national polls.

"Clubs and players know what I have done for them and what to expect from me thereafter. I was not doing this because of elections but due to the love for the sport. I still have unfinished business whether I win or not," Luther told Standard Sports.

Mbote said he would defeat his opponent with ease.

"There's no competition here as the writings are already on the wall," Mbote who's a veteran referee cum judge said.

In Kisumu, BFK President Anthony 'Jamal' Ombok is expected to retain his seat same as the bosses in Nairobi and Mombasa branches whose top contestants have no opponents.

Medical Officer Dr Sammy Mahugu is set to become the next Nairobi boss after former chairman Ken Otieno who resigned midstream failed to submit his papers.

Also expected to be ushered in unopposed in the Nairobi branch elections is Secretary General Musa Benjamin and a number of officials save for assistant competitions secretary and assistant treasurer's posts.

Kibera Olympics chairman Hassan Salim and Kariobangi Boxing Club boss Sospeter Okungu are set to battle for the post of assistant competitions secretary.

Jericho BC chairman Wycliffe Indalu and Kangemi BC secretary Linda Ombima are all interested in becoming the assistant treasurer.

Former Mombasa County Boxing Association chairman Abdulsalaam Kassim will not defend the seat, which has attracted Shanzu Warriors boss Phillip Pabli Aleke who has no opponent same to his secretary Chrispin Onyango.

"Most of us are just awaiting to take our seats since we lack opponents," said Onyango.

"Let the best officials win", said BFK Communications Director Duncan Kuria. [Ben Ahenda]