By Robert Kibet
After months of legal hurdles, tribunal showdowns and tension within Kenya’s Olympic movement, a fresh chapter has opened for the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK).
Elections held on July 21, 2025, in Nairobi ushered in Shadrack Maluki as President and Barnaba Korir as First Vice President, under the “Team New Dawn” alliance.
But while the vote tally delivered political victory, it is the challenges ahead that will define the new administration.
With the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics on the horizon, NOCK’s new leadership inherits not just power, but an urgent mandate to fix systemic gaps, unify federations, and put athletes at the center of national sport.
Paris 2024: Warning Signs in the Medal Table
Kenya’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics exposed simmering issues. The country secured 10 medals—four gold, four silver, and two bronze, marking a decline from the 11 won in Tokyo.
While celebrated names like Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet delivered gold in the women’s 1,500 metres and 5,000 metres races, respectively, concerns mounted over Kenya’s over-reliance on middle and long-distance running.
Other Olympic sports, particularly team disciplines and combat sports, struggled or were underrepresented. The pressure on the incoming NOCK leadership is not just to preserve glory in athletics, but to broaden Kenya’s competitiveness across multiple sports.
“We celebrated our champions in Paris,” noted Barnaba Korir. “But the truth is, we can’t continue to rely on the same names every four years. We must broaden the base.”
Maluki’s Pledge: Structure, Inclusivity, and Athlete Welfare
In his first public address as NOCK president, Shadrack Maluki, who also leads the Kenya Judo Federation, committed to a leadership style anchored on “structurality, inclusivity, and excellence.”
“The dreams of our youth must no longer remain unanswered. We will respond to the needs of our sportsmen and women, and ensure they are supported every step of the way,” said Maluki. “From grassroots development to international competition, their welfare and environment must remain top priorities.”
He also acknowledged the outgoing leadership, pledging to correct where necessary and build on what worked:
“Let us rise above division and place the interests of Kenyan sport at the centre of all we do.”
Korir’s Vision: Uniting Federations, Building an Industry
New First Vice President Barnaba Korir, known for his work in nurturing junior talent in Athletics Kenya, has set out a bold and wide-ranging reform agenda. His focus extends beyond medals to systemic change, including calls to:
- Unite Olympic federations under an equitable, collaborative structure.
- Empower underfunded federations, such as taekwondo, archery, badminton, and triathlon.
- Professionalize Olympic sport as an industry that creates jobs, drives innovation, and offers long-term athlete careers.
“NOCK must belong to all federations, not just the big names,” Korir told delegates. “We must empower every Olympic sport, because their success is our collective pride.”
“Athletics is more than a medal pipeline; it’s an industry. We need systems that attract investment, commercialize events, and protect the athlete’s career path,” he added.
Opposition Speaks: ‘We Lost the Vote, Not the Vision’
Despite the outcome, members of the opposing camp accepted the results but expressed caution about the road ahead. While the elections delivered a new team, they insisted the debate over governance, equity, and delivery is far from over.
“We accept the outcome, but this was not a landslide of ideas. We pushed for a performance-driven system, and we hope the new team will not fall into the comfort of politics over delivery,” said one official who was part of the campaign that lost the vote.
Another figure from the losing side emphasized the importance of dialogue going forward:
“We all want Kenyan sport to thrive. If the new team truly believes in inclusivity, then let them also listen to those who challenged them. We’re not enemies—we’re stakeholders.”
Their sentiments echo growing calls for the new leadership to avoid factionalism and instead prioritize consensus-building and transparent reform.
The In-Tray: Immediate Priorities for Team New Dawn
The new NOCK leadership faces an overflowing in-tray. Among the critical challenges:
1. Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
With just a year to go, preparations for Dakar must accelerate. Kenya cannot afford to arrive underprepared—especially as it will be the first Olympics of any kind held on African soil.
Talent identification, funding, and support structures must be urgently aligned.
2. Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Cycle
From athlete development to coach capacity, the path to LA 2028 must start now. This includes structuring qualification systems, building athlete support services, and mobilizing partnerships to support Olympic ambitions.
3. Athlete Welfare & Transition
The NOCK must now walk its talk on athlete welfare, especially around insurance, allowances, mental health, and career transition. Maluki has pledged to address these through new policies and institutional support.
4. Federation Cohesion
NOCK has long been seen as Nairobi-centric and dominated by a few federations. Maluki and Korir have vowed to democratize operations, promising consultative decision-making and equal resource distribution.
5. Governance and Integrity Reform
The tribunal disputes and court delays that preceded this election exposed deep governance weaknesses. Reforming NOCK’s constitution, election procedures, and financial transparency will be essential to regain credibility.
Leadership Snapshot: Who’s Steering the Ship?
This mix of seasoned administrators and reform-minded leaders offers a chance to blend experience with transformation—if they can work as a united front.
Conclusion: What Will Legacy Look Like?
For Team New Dawn, winning the election was only the beginning.
What follows will determine whether this regime leaves a legacy of transformation, or simply repeats past cycles under new names.
Kenya’s Olympic movement is at a crossroads: it can either rise to become a model for governance, unity, and youth investment, or remain a casualty of factional politics.
“It will not be easy,” Maluki admitted. “But with unity, dedication, and a shared vision, I have no doubt we will achieve great things.”
The Paris Games are behind us. The road to Dakar and Los Angeles begins now.
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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