Athletics Kenya constitution review process enters homestretch – DAILY SPORT

The public participation for the Athletics Kenya constitution review approaches climax after several meetings that saw the Review Committee visit several regions to gather opinions.

After meetings in Kisii, Machakos, Nyeri, Meru, Garisa, Kakamega, Kisumu, Eldoret and Kapenguria, the exercise moves to Nakuru and Mombasa on Monday before it moves to Nairobi for the final stretch.

In Nakuru, the meeting is set for the Old Town Hall where stake holders from Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kajiado, Laikipia and Nakuru will be brought together, while the Mombasa meeting that is planned for Ziwani School of the deaf will bring together stakeholders from Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, Taita Taveta and Lamu.

 The meetings elicited several opinions and views, with some stakeholders calling for the term of office to be changed from four to five years, while others called for gender balance and recognition of the youth in the Athletics Kenya leadership and some advocated for the involvement of county governments in supporting athletics from the county level.

In Kisumu and Kisii stake holders advocated for the devolving of Athletics to county level, and called for elections and registration to be carried out by an independent body. They also advocated for the collaboration of Athletics Kenya with county governments in financing championships at the county level.

At the Kinoru Stadium in Meru County the forum brought together athletes, coaches, officials, and athletics fans from Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo, Marsabit, and Embu counties as part of the ongoing 12-day nationwide exercise aimed at aligning AK’s governance structures with the Sports Act, 2013.

During the robust discussions, participants advocated for increased allocation of funds to the county and national athletics programs. This funding is intended to ensure the smooth operation of activities and effective talent development across all regions.

Mburugu Remmy, Chairman of AK Buuri Constituency, emphasized the need for more resources to help nurture young and upcoming athletes.

“We need more money channelled to athletics so that we can identify and develop more talent from the grassroots,” Mburugu said.

Jumale Agha, an athletic enthusiast, urged AK to improve its financial policies to include more regions and fields, ensuring equitable growth of the sport.

“The current financial policies need to be broadened so that more areas can benefit fairly,” he said.

Nonetheless, Mercy Kendi called for the active inclusion of youth in athletics leadership and decision-making processes, noting that young people should be involved at every level to ensure a smooth continuity of leadership and growth in the sport.

“Once we retire from active leadership and policy discussions, the youth should be ready to take over from us,” said Kendi. “We need to train and involve Gen Z now so that they can confidently take the mantle and carry athletics forward.”

There were heated discussions as members debated issues surrounding AK elections and representation, with calls for fairness, inclusivity, and regional balance to avoid overrepresentation and ensure equal opportunities for all counties.

AK officials present, however, called on participants to continue sharing their views openly, assuring them that every submission will be considered in the final amendments.

Stakeholders from the Nyeri region have called for the retention of the current regional structure in managing sporting activities under Athletics Kenya (AK).

Speaking during the public participation forum on the proposed amendments to the AK constitution held at the Nyeri Town Constituency, participants noted that the regional structure has proven to be more effective in ensuring accountability, coordination, and the proper management of sports resources.

Led by Central Region Secretary General Lydia Karangu, participants noted that maintaining sports management at the regional level would facilitate coordination, making it easier and more efficient, and ensure representation for counties that may not participate.

“It’s cumbersome to converge 47 counties in one competition. Managing sports through the regional structure ensures efficiency and better organization,” said Karangu.

Her sentiments were echoed by Dickson Karani, from Kiambu County, who noted that sports management has faced challenges since the onset of devolution, and further devolving athletics to the county level could exacerbate the situation.

“Since devolution, sports have often been mismanaged at the county level. Taking athletics back there would be injurious to its progress,” said Karani.

Regional affiliates’ representatives, led by the South Rift Region Chairperson, Japhet Kemei, assured participants that all views shared during the forum would be well captured and forwarded to the AK Constitutional Review Committee for consideration.

“Every opinion expressed here today will be documented and presented for discussion at the national level. This process belongs to all of us, and your voices are vital in shaping the future of athletics governance,” said Mr Kemei

On her part, Sports Registrar Rose Wasike highlighted the importance of internal dispute resolution mechanisms, calling upon stakeholders to exhaust the mechanisms before resorting to the courts. Ms Wasike noted that frequent legal battles have continued to cripple the growth and management of sports in the country.

“It’s important for sports stakeholders to fully utilize existing mechanisms for resolving disputes before turning to the courts. Court cases delay progress and weaken sports development,” said Wasike.

The Nyeri forum was part of the ongoing nationwide 12-day consultation exercise conducted under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, aimed at aligning AK’s governance framework with the Sports Act, 2013.

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