Athletics Kenya not afraid to hold elections, Korir says of the delayed polls

Athletics Kenya Nairobi branch chairman Barnaba Korir says the federation is not afraid of holding its long overdue elections noting that it was the courts that stopped the process.

 Korir argues that they were the first federation to comply with the Sports Act 2013 and, as such, are ready for the polls.

“The most unfortunate thing is that we did not come out as Athletics Kenya to tell our story (regarding delayed elections) so that Kenyans can understand when the Sports Act came into being,” he said. “We were the first institution to transit from the old act to the new one; we were for elections and it was stopped midway; we did not refuse to conduct elections,” he explained.

At the same time Korir says they've held fruitful talks with Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and explained to him the structures and plans Athletics Kenya have in as far as developing the sport in the country is concerned.

“It is not only about the national office that we discussed, we talked about the grass roots; AK has complete structures; all the way from counties, sub countries, regions all the way to the nationals so the minister had to understand exactly what Athletics Kenya is.

He went on: “We hear many stories about the federation but the majority of Kenyans do  understand the structures of our institution and our cabinet secretary was made to understand who the leaders from grassroots  are; so it is not just about our leader, General Tuwei or us at the national level,” added Korir.

He also explained the significance of developing the sport from the grassroots saying it’s the pillar for the nation.

“The pillars of Athletics Kenya starts from the grassroots; that is why the federation has been successful, because of the leadership from the grass roots; the participation of everybody,” stated the AK Nairobi branch chairperson.