Kenya Aquatics stakeholders 'disheartened' by failed elections, plead to Stabilization Committee for justice

Days after the Kenya Aquatics - formerly Kenya Swimming Federation - postponed their national elections set for 8 July, the constituent stakeholders have responded with a statement on the weekend events, while carving out a way that they believe would save the sport from what looks like an imminent ban.

In a press statement written by the federation’s Presidential aspirants - who went into the polls unopposed - Dr. Maureen Owiti explained the situation as ‘disheartening’ that the returning officer, responsible for overseeing the elections, did not show up due to ‘alleged intimidation and coercion.’

As per sources, over 50 stakeholders affiliated to Kenya Aquatics were barred from holding the elections at Kasarani Sports Stadium and resulted in a virtual meeting that was set to nominate the all unopposed members duly, and as per the recommendations rolled out by the sport’s international body - World Aquatics.

The only impediment for the process to go through, was a public notice published on the dailies on Friday 7 July, that referred to a stayed 18 March 2021 case lodged at the High Court of Kenya that referred to three entities; the Kenya Swimming Federation, Sports Kenya and Sports Registrar, with the aim of temporarily barring national elections that failed to adhere to the laws of universal suffrage.

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The petitioners for the case were Conrad Thorpe and Margaret Mwasha.

“Just when a breakthrough appeared, a mischievous plan was hatched to take the National body to court on a constitutional issue that promotes universal suffrage,” the press statement read further. “All National Sports Federations conduct their elections through the delegate system aligned to international rules and by-laws.”

At this moment, without any elections conducted, Kenya faces expulsion from the World Aquatics body and will extend the political standoff in the federation that has seen them fall under the leadership of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) and a Stabilization Committee - elected by FINA in 2019.

National elections however, have not been held since September 2014.

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With indications pointing towards the appointment of another IMC, the Kenya Aquatics Stakeholders had one message to the Stabilization Committee chaired by NOC-K Secretary General Francis Mutuku; “Our request is for you to put this matter to rest. It will be a great injustice to give the fraternity another IMC.

“We appeal to all higher offices concerned not to lead us to a path where no magic will be performed where others have failed.”

It is yet to be seen what happens from now, with another stakeholders meeting scheduled to take place Monday evening, with a written report set to be presented to World Aquatics.