Petitioner wants Peter Orero barred from holding Kenya Basketball Federation post

Should a Member of Parliament (MP) be allowed to hold a position in a National Federation?

The Sports Dispute Tribunal has been invited to determine whether Kibra Member of Parliament Peter Orero should continue holding the position of treasurer of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF).

Orero, a former Principal at Dagoretti High School was elected in 2020 as treasurer of the KBF and two years later plunged into politics and went on to be elected as Kibra MP.

Now, a petitioner Dennis Opiyo argues that he should not be allowed to hold two public posts.

“We want the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) to determine whether being a Member of Parliament in Kenya makes them ineligible to hold a position in a federation.

“My argument is that no one is allowed to hold more than one public office and he should choose one,” Opiyo said through his lawyer.

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But KBF through lawyer Robert Asembo argued that no law bars Orero from holding a position in KBF insisting that this should not even be discussed at this point considering that the federation goes to elections early next year.

“The tribunal cannot be invited to determine the matter. That is a matter that should be decided by members of KBF,” he argued.

Tribunal chairman John Ohaga said they cannot decide on the matter at the moment until a challenge is filed on the eligibility of Orero when elections are called.

“You can only challenge his candidature if and when he contests when elections are called,” he said.

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The tribunal is hearing a petition by Opiyo who wants the KBF disbanded for failing to adhere to the Sports Act.

The hearing continues on April 9.