Mutuku unveils NOC-K presidential bid

Mutuku has pledged to elevate Kenyan sports by prioritizing athlete welfare, expanding Olympic representation, and strengthening governance structures.

His campaign, themed “Serve, Innovate, Elevate,” outlines an ambitious roadmap aimed at transforming Kenyan sports and uplifting athletes to global excellence.

Mutuku defines his leadership philosophy as one rooted in service and impact. “My goal is to create lasting change for our athletes, ensuring they have the right structures, support, and opportunities to succeed,” he said.

Under outgoing President Paul Tergat, NOC-K has seen a period of stability and transformation. Kenya secured four gold medals in both the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Olympics, following in the footsteps of Kipchoge Keino, who presided over the golden eras of Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016, where Kenya bagged six gold medals each.

“My predecessors are people with great backgrounds, legends. Tergat and Kipchoge Keino were historic great athletes, so this is a paradigm shift. I come in as a servant and promise for the future,” Mutuku said.

Tennis Kenya President James Kenani vouched for Mutuku’s leadership credentials, stating, “Mutuku is a proven leader with a track record of building collaborations, driving sports development, and implementing policies that benefit athletes and federations alike.”

One of his main priorities is increasing the number of Kenyan athletes at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. From the only six disciplines (federations) that were entered in the Paris 2024 Games, Mutuku believes that with proper planning and support for federations, the country can broaden its representation.

“If elected, within 30 days, you will feel the impact of my leadership through concrete steps towards LA 2028.”

Financial stability is another focus, with plans to build Team Kenya into a strong brand, increase sponsorships, and maximize revenue through strategic partnerships. He further envisions leveraging technology and sports science to modernize athlete training and administration.

The NOC-K election process is now officially underway. By March 28, the board will issue a 21-day notice for the electoral congress, leading to the nomination period from April 3 to April 10.

The final list of approved candidates will be published by April 17, a week before the elections on April 24. Any disputes will be addressed in an appeals window opening on April 25

Mutuku’s camp includes BFK President Anthony Otieno Ombok, popularly known as Jamal, as the First Deputy and the current NOC-K Treasurer Eliud Kariuki as the Second Deputy.

Other key figures are Executive Members Shoaib Mohamed, who will take up the Treasurer role, and John Ogolla, who is set to become Secretary General.

The campaign continues to gain momentum, with National Olympic Committee of Kenya Athletes' Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange also in the race.