Rescheduled NOC-K polls set for July 21

The much-awaited polls have failed to take place on April 23 and June 19 following unending legal battles pitting two camps eyeing to succeed the Paul Tergat-led regime.

The new dates were communicated in a letter dated July 18, signed by NOC-K President Dr. Paul Tergat and Secretary General Francis Mutuku, following an Executive Committee meeting.

In the first attempt, the election was cancelled after four federations — Kenya Triathlon Federation (KTF), Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), Kenya Handball Federation (KHF), and the Taekwondo Federation of Kenya (TFK) — failed to agree on who among their officials were to carry their votes for each one of them.

The four were however reinstated by High Court to take part in the exercise that had been rescheduled for June 19.

However, the elections’ conundrum hit a crescendo after a High Court sitting in Eldoret pulled the plug by further postponing the polls.

Justice Reuben Nyakundi, in a ruling delivered on June 19, issued a temporary injunction halting the elections pending an inter partes hearing on June 23, following a petition filed by Jocelyne Leah Nyambura, Francis Paul, Andrew Mudibo, and the Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA).

The three were protesting a decision by Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) to lock out Andrew Mudibo­—who is under Maluki camp—from contesting for the Secretary General post citing Sports Act non-compliance by his parent federation, KTTA.

The rescheduling comes as legal disputes continue to cast a shadow over the process.

A group of seven candidates, including athletes and officials, had earlier filed a Statement of Claim at the SDT challenging their disqualification from the elections.

They argue that their removal violates Article 38 of the Constitution, which guarantees participation in political and public affairs.

The disqualification is linked to SDT ruling E038 of 2025, which nullified the secondments from the Kenya Table Tennis Association—a decision the claimants say they were never notified about, nor given a chance to appeal.

Despite receiving clearance from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the affected candidates found their names omitted from the final list of contenders.

They are now seeking urgent reinstatement or, alternatively, a fresh nomination process to ensure fairness and transparency.

Meanwhile, fresh controversy has erupted within the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) over the eligibility of Alexander Kiplagat Mutai, who was vying for a committee member position in the upcoming NOC-K elections.

In a letter to NOC-K, KRU chairperson Harriet Okatch declared Mutai ineligible, citing his resignation as KRU chairman on 30th May 2025.

“We do confirm to the Electoral Congress and the Board that Mr. Alexander Kiplagat Mutai resigned as the chairman of Kenya Rugby on 30th May 2025 and therefore ceased to be an active and bona fide member of Kenya Rugby Union and therefore not eligible to vie for any position at the NOCK elections,” Okatch stated.

She further noted that KRU has formally withdrawn Mutai’s nomination pursuant to Clause 17.13 (i) of the NOC-K Constitution and Rule 3.1 of the NOC-K Election Rules and Regulations.

Mutai’s bid for office came even as internal turmoil brewed within the union. He had earlier been suspended by the KRU board during an emergency meeting in March 2025, with a motion of no-confidence already in the pipeline.

As the election date nears, all 25 affiliated federations, including Athletics Kenya, Boxing Federation of Kenya, Kenya Rugby Union, Kenya Shooting Federation, and others, are expected to participate.

However, the final list of eligible candidates and the outcome of the ongoing tribunal proceedings will play a critical role in shaping both the process and the public perception of NOC-K’s commitment to good governance and transparency.