World Aquatics announce additional sanctions on Kenya Swimming Federation

Kenyan swimming has once again been thrown into the deep end after World Aquatics - the international federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee for administering international competitions in water sports - on Sunday 13 August 2023 announced further sanctions on Kenya’s federation - Kenya Aquatics - for repeated failure to comply with World Aquatics rules and decisions.

The stick for Kenya, as has been previously reported, is notably its failure to hold elections, a scenario that has seen the country serve under suspension for more than three years, with FINA’s first suspension coming in December 2019, and a Stabilization Committee formed to steer the way for elections on 28 June 2022 failing to act on its mandate.

As a result, World Aquatics, in a letter addressed to Kenya Aquatics and the National Olympics Committee of Kenya moved on to exclude Kenya from any activity within World Aquatics (including participation in its events), coupled up with maintenance of its current suspension of the country.

A further directive by Brent J. Nowicki indicated: “The Bureau further directs the Stabilization Committee to finalize the electoral process and conduct elections within 90 days. Your compliance with this directive is appreciated.”

Kenya’s story of consistent breach is a painful one, as after being under suspension for more than three years - FINA’s first suspension coming in December 2019 - no national elections have been undertaken since, even with the appointment of a World Aquatics Stabilization Committee formed to steer the way for elections since 28 June 2022.

The committee is chaired by Jace Baidoo, with Moses Benson and National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) Secretary General Francis Mutuku as members who run all day-to-day operations of the federation.

“Despite the installation of a Stabilization Committee, the issues within Kenya Aquatics persist,” the letter addressed specifically to Mr. Naidoo read. “And with this, the Bureau continues to have deep concerns with respect to the ongoing failures within Kenya Aquatics, the continued failure of the Stabilization Committee to hold elections, and the historical inability to comply with the rules and decisions of World Aquatics.”

Kenya’s real attempt to hold the elections came on 8 July, as all swimming stakeholders opted to hold a virtual elections process on the day the World Athletics had set for elections to take place.

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The polls were however quashed after a new court injunction rendered by High Court Judge Hon. Lady Justice H.I. Ong’undi on 7 July stood conservatory orders made by Hon. Mr. Justice W. Korir from a case filed on 18 March 2021; that issued temporary orders of injunction restraining KSF from inviting applications for elections or conducting the same.

The petitioners in this case were Margaret Mwasha and Conrad Thorpe - all swimming stakeholders.

The latest release, then coincides with a 24 June riot act sent by World Aquatics considering imposing additional sanctions to the Kenya Swimming Federation.

The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Ababu Namwamba is set to be notified on the development.