Fresh Dispute Erupts Over Athletics Kenya Constitution Review
A fresh dispute has emerged over the proposed review of the Athletics Kenya constitution, with former athletes and other stakeholders questioning the process used to approve and submit the document to the Registrar of Sports.
The latest disagreement has revived a long-running debate over governance reforms at the federation, which has faced pressure to align its constitution with the Sports Act 2013 and the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
The controversy follows the approval of a revised constitution by the Athletics Kenya Annual General Meeting before it was forwarded to the Registrar of Sports.
Some stakeholders have raised concerns that the document does not fully incorporate proposals made during public participation forums held across the country in 2025.
Among the contentious issues is the federation’s administrative structure. The approved document retains national, regional and county structures, including 13 regional associations.
Stakeholders who took part in the consultations had proposed changes to the existing arrangement, including a two-level structure involving the national and county associations.
The role of delegates in the election of federation officials has also come under scrutiny.
Former athletics stars Moses Tanui, Hosea Kogo and Christopher Koskei are among those calling for changes to the electoral system. They argue that athletes should have a more direct role in choosing the officials who run the federation.
Tanui, a two-time Boston Marathon champion, has questioned a system in which a limited number of delegates determine the leadership of the national federation.
The former athletes have also called for wider representation of athletes from all 47 counties, saying the country’s athletics community should have a greater say in the administration of the sport.
Abraham Mutai, who has been involved in disputes surrounding the Central Rift athletics administration, has also criticised the current electoral arrangement.
Mutai has argued that athletes registered with Athletics Kenya should have a direct opportunity to participate in the election of federation officials rather than relying on a delegate system.
The stakeholders have given Athletics Kenya seven days to withdraw the constitution submitted to the Registrar of Sports and begin fresh consultations over the disputed provisions.
They have indicated that they could pursue legal action if their concerns are not addressed within the period given.
The latest disagreement comes against the backdrop of a long-running legal battle over governance reforms at Athletics Kenya.
In March 2025, the Court of Appeal directed the federation to review its constitution and bring it into line with the Sports Act and the Constitution.
The directive was expected to help resolve governance questions and pave the way for fresh elections.
However, the latest objections have introduced another hurdle in the reform process.
The stakeholders want the federation to reconsider the proposed regional structure, review the electoral system and give athletes a greater role in determining its leadership.
Athletics Kenya has yet to resolve the latest objections as the debate over the federation’s constitution continues.
The outcome of the dispute could determine the structure of the federation and how its officials are elected in the next leadership cycle.
