AK now declares Bungei election null and void

Wilfred Bungei of Kenya celebrates after winning the men's 800m final of the athletics competition in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The move by the delegates was informed by the fact that Mutai was recently convicted of a criminal offence by a Kapsabet court and handed a two-year probationary sentence.
  • In his ruling on May 21 last year, Kapsabet magistrate Benjamin Limo found Mutai guilty of incitement and handed him the two-year probationary sentence. But reacting to the move, Kiplagat said the national office was not notified of any delegates meeting of their Nandi County branch.

Differences have emerged between Athletics Kenya and its Nandi County branch over the election of former Olympic champion Wilfred Bungei as the branch chairman.

On Wednesday, Abraham Mutai was ousted as chairman of Nandi branch during a special meeting and Bungei - the 800m gold medal winner at the 2008 Beijing Olympics - installed as the new office bearer.

But Thursday, AK President Isaiah Kiplagat denounced Mutai’s ouster, saying the move is against the body’s constitution.

Kenya’s most decorated athletics coach Mike Kosgei, Sammy Kosgei, who held Africa’s 800m record for several years until David Rudisha shattered it, and Olympics 800m finalist Edwin Koech (Atlanta 1984) were among the delegates who elected Bungei during a special meeting in Kapsabet town on Wednesday.

The move by the delegates was informed by the fact that Mutai was recently convicted of a criminal offence by a Kapsabet court and handed a two-year probationary sentence.

ILLEGALITY

This, they argued, disqualifies Mutai from holding AK office pursuant to Chapter Six of the Kenyan Constitution on integrity and Chapter 16.1 (b) of the AK statutes that bars persons who have been convicted from holding office.

In his ruling on May 21 last year, Kapsabet magistrate Benjamin Limo found Mutai guilty of incitement and handed him the two-year probationary sentence. But reacting to the move, Kiplagat said the national office was not notified of any delegates meeting of their Nandi County branch.

“Article 15 of the AK constitution states that an office bearer may be removed from office if the Executive Committee so recommends and the Annual General Meeting resolves by two thirds majority of the members present that such an office bearer should be removed,” Kiplagat said in a statement yesterday.

“Nandi County branch appears not to have adhered to this requirement. Such an election is a nullity and will not be recognized by Athletics Kenya. We can’t accept coups as these will bring anarchy and retard the gains so far attained,” Kiplagat added.

Earlier this year, Nandi County Assembly Clerk Barnabas Kosgey, on behalf of the Assembly, wrote to Kiplagat seeking to have Mutai stripped of his position following his conviction.