Keino retains post in NOCK elections

Kipchoge Keino on Friday retained his position as Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) following elections that saw incumbent officials re-elected in key posts.

Francis Paul retained the position of Secretary General.

A cloud of uncertainty had lingered over the election after veteran Athletics Kenya Chairman Isaiah Kiplagat, who had an interest in the second vice-chairman’s seat in Friday’s Nock elections, was hoodwinked to drop his bid by Keino.

Kiplagat had apparently been assured he would have the position upon the retirement of the current holder, Peter Nderitu, “in six months’ time”.

This coming from his long-time friend and the Nock chairman, Kiplagat remained easy and withdrew his nomination papers, waiting to be the second vice-chairman “in six months’ time”. Unknown to him, this was just a gentleman’s agreement, which rarely holds in local politics:

Too sad for Kiplagat, he found out the hard way. To the man’s shock, his secretary-general at AK, David Okeyo, had presented his papers just before last Friday’s deadline and will now be unopposed for the second vice-chairman’s seat.

Deadline expired

Kiplagat, as a result, wanted Friday’s elections postponed over alleged double standards to candidates by the poll organisers.

The AK boss claimed some candidates were surprisingly allowed to present their nomination papers “hours after the expiry of the deadline”, which he said was unacceptable.

Kiplagat had written a terse letter to Keino, demanding that he instructs the Nock annual general meeting to stop elections in the position of second vice-chairman.

“I want this letter placed before the AGM with a view to having the position of second Vice-Chairman postponed until later to allow other members to offer themselves,” said Kiplagat said in the letter.

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