Finally, AK goes to polls on April 17

AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat.

What you need to know:

  • Kiplagat, who was flanked by AK’s secretary general, David Okeyo (above) and public relations officer, Peter Angwenyi, further urged all aspiring candidates at all levels to obtain their nomination forms from the committee that was commissioned to oversee registration of new members.

Athletics Kenya has finally announced the dates for its eager awaited elections.

AK President, Isaiah Kiplagat, who is widely expected to defend his position, said the on-and-offnational elections will now be held on April 17.

The national election will be preceded by the Counties and regional elections due on April 3 and 10 respectively.

Kiplagat however clarified that the elections, which will be held under their new constitution, will only start at the Counties level since the constituencies’ level could not have met the required numbers for the process to be held.

“For an annual general meeting to be held, it requires a threshold of at least 30 delegates but most of the constituencies don’t meet that target hence the move to Counties level,” said Kiplagat.

AK had postponed the elections thrice. The last time came when Kiplagat said it was necessary to allow their members to participate in the just ended General Elections. “The process is now complete and we now focus on our athletics elections,” said the AK president, who has been at the helm since 1992.

Registration of new members

Kiplagat, who was flanked by AK’s secretary general, David Okeyo (above) and public relations officer, Peter Angwenyi, further urged all aspiring candidates at all levels to obtain their nomination forms from the committee that was commissioned to oversee registration of new members.

The committee, headed by Benjamin Njoga, will issue the nomination papers.

“Initially we wanted the regional offices to handle the process but most of them decided to issue forms selectively, locking out others. We want to conduct a fair process that is inclusive,” Kiplagat said. “In fact, those who are eying posts at the national level should just walk into our Riadha (House) headquarters and will be issued with the nomination forms.”

Officials elected from the regional level will now have the onus of participating in the national elections where the post of president and four vice-presidents will be up for grabs. One of the vice-president’s post is reserved for a woman as per the new dispensation requirements.

The new membership drive saw over 2,000 certified members registered. Kiplagat called on the current and former athletes, who won seats in the County and National Assemblies in the General Elections to propagate and defend the virtues of sports.

He hailed the victories by MPs-elect Wesley Korir and Elijah Langat after they won seats at the National Assembly with 10 others winning at the Counties. Korir won the Cherangany seat while Langat retained his position in Emgwen.

“” I now believe the voices of sportsmen and women will be heard even louder and I hope they will defend our virtues and talk about sports in general,” said Kiplagat, who challenged the new government to appoint a Sports Minister, who is a professional in the field.

“Both coalitions came up with good manifestos but all we want is a government that will value sports,” Kiplagat said. “Jubilee Coalition promised to build five ultra modern stadia but our hopes is that will be expediting that and especially in Mombasa.”