Stakeholders meeting clears path for Kenya Swimming Federation elections

Kenyan swimming may be after all, in a suitable position to get back to life, after the leadership of the Kenya Swimming Federation Stabilization Committee rolled out its plans to hold the long-awaited national elections next month.

As previously reported on Mozzart Sport, Kenya Swimming Swimming Federation organization - including all stakeholders and clubs - held a special convention (Annual General Assembly) - on Saturday 24 June 2023, where the main agenda was to pass the New Constitution and confirm July 8 as the date when the elections will take place.

“The meeting was indeed successful and everything is set for 8 July,” FINA Kenya Stabilization Secretariat team leader, Michael Otieno, said on Monday.

“There were many things that we needed to agree and vote on; including amendments to the constitution, change of name and the timeline leading up to the polls.”

In relation to a letter released by the World Aquatics that indicated the possibility of ‘imposing sterner measures on the federation should elections not take place by the set deadline’, Otieno confirmed that the July 8 polls had been approved by the sport’s governing body and would in effect bring to an end the current standoff engulfing swimming in Kenya.

Kenya was suspended back in January 2021 and a Stabilization Committee led by National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) Secretary General Francis Mutuku, Kace Baidoo and Moses Benson put in place by FINA in July 2022.

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“As it stands, July 8 will mark the end of all turmoil,” Otieno added.

Among the resolutions made on Saturday included; change of name of the federation from KSF to Kenya Aquatics Swimming Federation, confirmation of the Centre of Corporate Governance as the elections body, and amendments to the constitution in regards to delegation, clubs and the entire voting procedure.

“As per now everything lies with the elections body,” Otieno said.

“Before now and the election date, the list of revised candidates, timetable and counties eligible to vote will be out.”

By estimation, a total 60 members were present in the AGM, including eight counties present, all represented by individual clubs.

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The only standoff that exists is on the number of counties cleared by the Sports Registrar and with certificates to make their voting acceptable.

On any ongoing rumors on court proceedings, Otieno clarified; “That’s information I am not privy to. We will kick on with our process as it is.”