Legends demand inclusion in new Athletics Kenya constitution review
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 30.10.25. | 17:32
The trio has been in the corridors of justice since 2016, when they first petitioned the courts to compel AK to review its outdated constitution
Kenyan athletics greats have renewed calls for full inclusion in the ongoing review of the Athletics Kenya (AK) constitution, warning of legal consequences if the process sidelines athletes who are the very foundation of the sport.
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Led by two-time Boston Marathon champion Moses Tanui, former world 3,000m steeplechase record holder Wilson Boit, and retired distance runner Hosea Boit, the group of legends vowed to keep pushing for reforms they say are long overdue.
The trio has been in the corridors of justice since 2016, when they first petitioned the courts to compel AK to review its outdated constitution.
Their persistence bore fruit in March 2025, when the Court of Appeal ordered the federation to begin a comprehensive constitutional review, a process now underway.
However, the legends insisted that the review must not be a closed-door affair controlled by a few administrators.
“We, the athletes, wish to emphasise that we are the primary stakeholders of Athletics Kenya (AK). Without athletes, there is no Athletics Kenya. We therefore demand recognition in the new constitution.
What we are asking is simple: that the constitution clearly identifies athletes as the first and foremost stakeholders of AK,” Tanui said.
Tanui, who also doubles up as the Eldoret City Marathon race director, further criticised the current delegate system of electing executive officials, calling it archaic and inconsistent with Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, which abolished similar structures in national governance.
He argued that the system concentrates power in the hands of a few individuals, leaving the majority of athletes without a say in decisions affecting their careers.
“The current AK constitution, drafted in 1953, still operates under the outdated delegate system outlined in Section 2A.
We are calling for reforms within Athletics Kenya to ensure that every athlete has the right to participate in matters concerning their events and organisation. Membership in AK should primarily consist of athletes,” he continued.
Tanui further proposed a two-tier governance system, mirroring Kenya’s national and county governments. Under this structure, athletics development would begin at the county level to ensure a steady flow of talent to the national stage.
“We want all 47 counties to participate in national events. Even regions like North Eastern should be supported to train and field athletes, ensuring every county is represented,” he offered.
The former marathoner also called for transparent and inclusive elections, proposing that both county and national-level voting be conducted in a single day by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to minimise irregularities.
“Each county should register its members, and voting should be conducted at both county and national levels, a two-tier voting system where no individual votes twice. This will ensure transparency, accountability, and proper governance within the federation,” Tanui added.
Tanui further urged the constitution drafters to engage directly with athletes before finalising the new document.
“Finally, we are appealing to those drafting the new constitution to actively involve athletes in the process before presenting the final document. Our inclusion is not optional; it is essential for the growth and integrity of Athletics Kenya,” he concluded.
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