AK dispute headed for arbitration
What you need to know:
- “The applicants are directed to make a formal application for the dispute to be referred to arbitration within a period of 30 days. The arbitral proceedings should be conducted expeditiously,” said Sergon.
- Korir said they will continue with the fight until they are satisfied with the running of athletics in the country. “We’ll comply with the verdict and file our case within the said period. We will accept the outcome of the arbitration court,” said Korir.
The High Court has referred a case between top Athletics Kenya (AK) officials and 14 branches to the Sports Disputes Tribunal.
A High Court, sitting in Nairobi on Thursday, ruled that the case in which top AK officials sought to stop 14 regions from holding a Special General Meeting be taken before the tribunal.
Milimani High Court Judge Joseph Sergon ordered the two parties in the dispute to file their grievances before the tribunal within 30 days and that a solution be reached within 90 days.
Following the ruling, the spokesman of the 14 regions, AK eastern branch chairman Paul Mutwii, indicated that they would meet on Tuesday to chart a way forward.
Central Rift chairman Abraham Mutai, on behalf of four other plaintiffs, had filed an application seeking to stop Mutwi, AK Nairobi Branch Chairman Barnabas Korir and 12 region heads from holding the SGM on November 14 or any other date.
FORMAL APPLICATION
“The applicants are directed to make a formal application for the dispute to be referred to arbitration within a period of 30 days. The arbitral proceedings should be conducted expeditiously,” said Sergon.
“We are happy that the judge didn’t issue a verdict but referred the case to the arbitration tribunal,” said Mutwii. “We shall now meet to discuss the next course of action now that the court didn’t stop the SGM.”
Korir said they would continue with the fight until they are satisfied with the running of athletics in the country.
“We’ll comply with the verdict and file our case within the said period. We will accept the outcome of the arbitration court,” said Korir.
Meanwhile, the government will not criminalise doping in the country for now. Sports Principal Secretary Richard Ekai said they would engage the global and regional anti-doping organisations to arrive at a solution.
