NOC-K boss Tergat’s succession plans take shape
National Olympics Committee of Kenya President Paul Tergat (centre) with Secretary General Francis Mutuku (left) and Vice President Shadrack Maluki during their Annual General Meeting at Pride Inn in Nairobi on December 10, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Reflecting on his tenure, Tergat emphasised the importance of leadership that prioritizes the welfare of sportsmen and women.
- “We have introduced many projects at NOC-K through our strategic plan,” he said. “The person taking over from me should be a doctor—someone ready to delegate duties and consult widely.”
As National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) president Paul Tergat presided over his last Annual General Meeting Tuesday in Nairobi, the race to succeed him is on with contenders positioning themselves well ahead of the elections scheduled for April 2025.
Tergat, a two-time Olympic 10,000m silver medallist, will complete his second term at NOC-K’s elective general assembly on April 24 next year.
He leaves behind a legacy of steadying a committee once riddled with corruption, revitalizing partnerships, and restoring stakeholder confidence.
The late Waithaka Kioni, a well-respected figure in the Kenyan sports fraternity and then president of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), had been viewed as Tergat’s natural successor before his untimely death in April 2022.
Many believe Kioni chose not to challenge Tergat out of respect for the Kenya Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.
With Kioni gone, the field is now wide open, and the competition is expected to be fierce.
Among the leading contenders is Kenya Judo Federation (KJF) president Shadrack Maluki, who also serves as the Africa Judo Union (AJU) president. As NOC-K’s current first deputy president, Maluki sees himself as the natural heir to Tergat’s position.
However, Maluki faces stiff opposition. Current NOC-K secretary general Francis Mutuku, a figure with a strong administrative track record, is also eyeing the top spot.
Mutuku has served as acting secretary general before being elected to the position and also holds a significant role as the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone V secretary general.
Adding to the intrigue, NOC-K Athletes Representative Humphrey Kayange has been tipped as a potential candidate, while Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei is also being urged to join the race.
Tuwei, a seasoned sports administrator, currently serves as World Athletics deputy president and Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) first deputy president.
The two deputy president positions are also attracting considerable interest. Candidates include current treasurer Anthony Kariuki, Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) chairman Nashon Randiek, KVF president Charles Nyaberi, KVF deputy president Paul Bitok, and Lilian Mududa from KVF.
In the race for secretary general, Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA) president Andrew Mudibo is expected to make his third attempt at the position, possibly facing the current deputy secretary general, Shoiab Vayani.
Meanwhile, treasurer aspirants include deputy treasurer John Ogolla, who is weighing his options between maintaining his current role or seeking the secretary general post, and Elina Shiveka from KHU.
Reflecting on his tenure, Tergat emphasised the importance of leadership that prioritizes the welfare of sportsmen and women.
“We have introduced many projects at NOC-K through our strategic plan,” he said. “The person taking over from me should be a doctor—someone ready to delegate duties and consult widely.”
As the sports fraternity prepares for what promises to be one of the most competitive NOC-K elections in recent memory, the focus remains on who will carry forward Tergat’s vision and take Kenyan sports to the next level.
