National Olympic Committee President Shadrack Maluki.
Kenya Judo Federation boss Shadrack Maluki has read the riot act to wrangling sports federations as he takes over as the new president of National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K).
Speaking on Monday in Nairobi moments after garnering 15 votes to win NOC-K’s presidency ahead of Tennis Kenya Vice President Francis Mutuku who polled 12 votes, Maluki extended an olive branch to his opponents and promised to lead with impartiality and humility.
Maluki, who is also the president of Africa Judo Union, promised to put the interests of athletes and grassroots development first, and told local federations that have been wrangling to shape up or ship out.
Maluki acknowledged that some dysfunctional federations are part of the reason NOC-K’s elections were postponed twice, and said that federations will serve athletes under his regime and not personal interests.
Among the federations that were barred from voting due to wrangles are Kenya Taekwondo Federation, Kenya Aquatics, Badminton Kenya, Kenya Golf Union, and Kenya Table Tennis Association.
National Olympic Committee of Kenya president-elect Shadrack Maluki (second left) leads his team in celebrations after NOCK elections on July 21, 2025 in Nairobi
“What I saw during these election upheavals was federation officials putting their interests first. I want to say that it is over and it has to change. It won’t be business as usual. We either work for our athletes or get out of these federations and pave the way for good leaders,” said Maluki.
Maluki said his first task is to bring NOC-K’s affiliates together after protracted campaigns that has left them divided. NOC-K campaigns were marred by claims of vote-buying and a series of court cases. Maluki takes over from legendary distance runner Paul Tergat, who had served two terms of four years each.
NOC-K elections were postponed twice; on April 24, and on June 19 owing to court injunctions. Yesterday’s exercise was presided over by a team from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), led by returning officer Muthee Gakuru.
Although happy that the elections are finally over and a new office is in place, Maluki noted that the exercise has left NOC-K divided. “We now must now work together. There will be no bigger or smaller federation under my tenure. We shall all sing one song under one unit,” Maluki, who is a former international judoka said, adding that he has learnt a lot during his tenure as Tergat’s first deputy president.
“I can assure Tergat that he is leaving behind a better NOC-K than we found it, and it is in safe hands. I am determined to take it to the next level,” said Maluki.
He envisions an organisation whose affiliates have vibrant age-group development programmes and good facilities that every sportsman and woman will access with ease for training.
National Olympic Committee of Kenya president-elect Shadrack Maluki receives a certificate from Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission official Muthee Gakuru during NOCK elections on July 21, 2025 at Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi.
“This will only be possible with a viable partnership with both the central and county governments and corporates,” Maluki observed, noting that those elected alongside him are federation heads who face pressure to deliver.
Maluki has a full in-tray, as Kenya looks to embark on preparations for 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics.
Maluki has promised to set the stage for a review of NOC-K’s Constitution, particularly clauses touching on elections so as to clear the current ambiguity as to who holds the vote for federations.
Two-time Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Tergat said he is confident that Maluki will deliver on his mandate.
Maluki’s team that campaigned for office under the slogan “New Dawn” swept virtually all the positions save for secretary general and women’s representative, which went to Mutuku’s team. John Ogolla was elected unopposed as secretary general, while the women’s representative seat went to Doreen Okiri from shooting. Ogolla has served as deputy treasurer while Okiri is a newcomer.
Only Maluki, Ogolla and Barnaba Korir, who was elected as the new first deputy president, retained their places in NOC-K’s executive, though in new roles.
Outgoing treasurer Anthony Kariuki, who is the Kenya Wrestling Federation chairman, lost to Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) chairman Nashon Randiek for the position of second deputy President. Kariuki got 13 votes against Randiek’s 14.
Humphrey Kayange, who is an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, also lost the race for the deputy secretary general’s seat by a vote to Softball Federation of Kenya president Francis Karugu. The Kenya Seven rugby legend Kayange, who is the head of 2026 Youth Olympics, got 13 votes.
Former Kenya Rugby Union chairman Sasha Mutai was elected one of the three committee members, as Kenya Lionesses captain Grace Okulu was elected Athletes Representative-female.
