Former NOCK boss Charles Mukora is dead

Former NOCK Boss Charles Mukora [Courtesy]

Former National Olympics Committee-Kenya (NOCK) boss Charles Mukora died on Thursday (December 27) after succumbing to a long illness.

The 83-year-old was one of the pioneer athletics coaches in the country and boasted having worked with Kenya’s best runners during his tenure, among them, retired Kenyan track and field athlete Kipchoge Keino.

Former NOCK Executive Officer Stephen Soi, who announced Mukora’s death condoled with his family.

"It is with deep sorrow and regrets that death as once again robbed Kenya of a long time sports administrator Hon. Charles Mukora which occurred a while ago. Let us join hands in condoling the family of late Hon Charles Mukora,” said Soi.

NOCK President Paul Tergat took time to describe Mukora as one of the people who placed Kenya among the elites in the Olympic movement.

“Charles was one of the founding pillars of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) and his tenure saw Kenya firmly established in the global Olympic movement,” Tergat said.

Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei pronounced him as a dedicated sports leader.

“This is one individual who served Kenya in different capacities internationally and in a very diligent manner,” said Tuwei.

Short Mukora history

Perhaps one of the bitter-sweet highlights of Mukora’s career came in 1999 after he was forced to withdraw from his position as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and NOCK boss, following an investigation by one Richard Pound, which placed at the centre of bribery claims surrounding Sydney and Salt Lake City 2000 and 2002 Winter Olympics hosting rights.

He strongly denied the accusations levelled against him saying his only crime was being caught in an 'inevitable conflict'.

Mukora also served as Laikipia East MP between 1992 and 1997 under the Democratic Party, then led by former President Mwai Kibaki.