A pivotal moment for Kenyan sports turned into a legal standoff Thursday morning when a High Court order from Eldoret once again brought the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) elections to a standstill.
The injunction, filed on the eve of voting day, temporarily blocked a tightly contested poll that has drawn sharp divisions within the Olympic movement, splitting it into two clear factions: Team New Dawn and the incumbent leadership led by current Secretary General Francis Mutuku.
The unexpected delay prompted strong reactions from both sides. While Shadrack Maluki, President of the Kenya Judo Federation and Team New Dawn’s presidential candidate, decried “systemic sabotage” and “weaponized technicalities,” Mutuku called for sobriety and patience, asserting that the elections would resume as soon as legally permissible.
New Dawn’s Battle Cry: “This Is Not Over”
Team New Dawn, a coalition of presidents from various federations—including judo, volleyball, table tennis, triathlon, and taekwondo- expressed deep frustration with what they described as a biased and manipulated electoral process.
“This should have been a day to celebrate democracy in sports,” said Maluki during a press conference at a Nairobi hotel.
“Instead, we are confronting judicial inconsistencies and clear attempts to exclude us from the leadership we have worked so hard to earn.”
Andrew Mudibo, the embattled President of the Kenya Table Tennis Association and candidate for NOCK Secretary General, detailed how a Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) ruling, rendered by a single tribunal member, had not only disqualified his federation but effectively disqualified a slew of other candidates seconded by it, including global athletics icon Eliud Kipchoge.
“How do you tell me this is justice when the secondments of nearly half the ticket are voided on the eve of elections?” Mudibo asked. “This is rigging by technicality.”
The coalition outlined a litany of legal irregularities involving SDT member Hon. Allan Mola, accusing him of delivering all rulings alone, applying res judicata inconsistently, and using procedural technicalities to exclude New Dawn federations.
“It’s no longer safe to trust this tribunal,” said Maluki.
“If Hon. Mola is on the bench in future cases, we will demand his recusal.”
New Dawn has vowed to take its grievances to higher offices, including Kenya’s Chief Justice, the Registrar of Tribunals, and potentially the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Mutuku’s Rebuttal: “We Must Protect the Ship”
Speaking hours later, Francis Mutuku, the NOCK Secretary General and leading presidential candidate from the rival camp, adopted a composed but concerned tone.
“Yes, today was supposed to be election day,” he began.
“But as you know, when a matter is before the High Court, our hands become tied. We shall respect the process and pray the courts give us a fair window to proceed.”
Mutuku rejected the notion that NOCK was deliberately frustrating reforms. Instead, he credited the current executive committee with radically transforming the body over the past eight years.
“Those who’ve followed our journey know we’ve delivered—programmes are running, athletes are supported, and governance has improved. So naturally, many want to be part of this success,” he said.
“But that same success now risks being torn apart by politics and personal ambition.”
Mutuku noted that NOCK’s electoral calendar was transparent and publicly documented, beginning with a General Assembly in December 2024 and continuing through two special sittings, including the one held on May 24, which had to be adjourned due to earlier court orders.
“This calendar was not decided last week—it was debated, voted on, and shared publicly months ago,” he emphasized.
“This shows we are willing to comply with all processes.”
Whose Justice? Whose Game?
Yet what Team New Dawn views as legal suppression, Mutuku sees as a natural consequence of a vibrant political contest.
“Let’s not kid ourselves—this is politics,” he said. “People do their maths, see their numbers, and if things don’t look good, they go to court. It’s understandable, but it slows us down.”
Mutuku dismissed claims that NOCK has lost control of its processes.
“We still have a functional executive. The only thing on hold is the vote. But we are still coordinating athlete scholarships, Olympic Day events, and preparation for Los Angeles 2028,” he said.
He admitted, however, that the prolonged uncertainty is tarnishing NOCK’s otherwise impressive legacy.
“Yes, it hurts. We’ve built a thriving organisation. But the longer this drags out, the more that legacy is being chipped away—day by day,” Mutuku confessed. “We want to finish strong. That’s every leader’s wish.”
What’s at Stake? Global Calendar Is Unforgiving
Both sides agree on the deeper cost of the electoral impasse: Kenya’s performance on the international stage.
“We have African Youth Games in Angola in December, Glasgow 2026, Dakar 2026, and LA 2028 on the horizon,” warned Mutuku. “We need clarity, leadership, and preparation. This is no time for legal fog.”
Maluki echoed that concern: “If we can’t agree internally, how do we prepare our youth for Dakar? If we don’t fix governance now, Kenya will underperform on the biggest stages.”
Calls for Autonomy, IOC Oversight, Local Solutions
Both camps also agree that the NOCK elections, though a domestic affair, have international implications.
“Our President will be in Lausanne in the next two days for the inauguration of the new IOC president,” Mutuku said.
“The world is watching, and Kenya’s Olympic brand is at stake.”
Mutuku said the IOC had been informed of recent events and would likely offer guidance.
However, he emphasized that Kenya must resolve its disputes internally.
“The Olympic Charter values autonomy. We must show that sports in Kenya can govern itself fairly and lawfully.”
New Dawn, meanwhile, hinted at creating their independent dispute resolution platform if confidence in the SDT continues to erode.
A Final Plea: Let the Vote Proceed
In closing, both Mutuku and Maluki expressed hope that the impasse would end soon, though from different vantage points.
“Our prayer,” said Mutuku, “is that the court will listen to our appeal. We want a strong, fair process to continue. Let’s not destroy what’s been built because of ambition.”
“This is not personal,” countered Maluki.
“We’re not fighting individuals—we are fighting for Kenya’s sports future. Elections must reflect the will of federations, not legal loopholes.”
What’s Next?
Mutuku outlined two pathways forward, namely lifting of the current High Court orders, allowing the elections to proceed immediately, or a full hearing, where all petitioners and respondents make their case, and the court issues a binding ruling on the disputed federations’ eligibility.
Either way, the next few days are pivotal.
“We’ve been given a second chance to get this right,” said Mutuku. “Let’s not waste it.”
Conclusion: Hope in the Eye of the Storm
As the NOCK election process stalls once again, it is clear that beyond legal arguments and personal ambitions lies a shared love for sport—and a profound recognition that Kenya’s Olympic dream is bigger than any one candidate or court order.
The question is whether the nation’s sporting leaders can navigate these stormy waters and deliver the calm, credible leadership Kenyan athletes deserve.
Robert Kibet is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He previously worked as a correspondent for Milele FM. His feature stories on development, the climate crisis, the environment, conflict, human rights, food security, and education have been published in The Guardian UK, Reuters, IPS, DW, The New Humanitarian, and Equal Times.
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