Kenya NOC Constitution Passed, Election Date Set

(ATR) Kenyan National Olympic Committee President Kip Keino tells Around the Rings passing a new constitution was a "very successful event today."

The NOC-K unanimously approved a new constitution at a meeting today. New elections will take place on May 5.

Kenya had been under threat of suspension from the IOC after conflicts between the country’s sports ministry and the NOC-K created autonomy issues. After the Rio 2016 Olympics numerous NOC-K officials were arrested for graft, and the sports ministry attempted to disband the NOC citing "mismanagement."

On March 7, the first attempt to pass a constitution failed to produce the two-thirds majority needed for approval. Thirteen members voted against the constitution, causing the IOC to "halt payments," to the NOC-K. The IOC Executive Board decided against suspending the NOC-K, after meetings from the committee showed a path to a solution.

Keino would not tell ATR whether or not he would run for reelection of the NOC-K.

"By next week we will be able to know who is running," Keino said. "There are a couple of people who will put their candidacy up at the NOC Office in Nairobi. So you want to know the conditions and who will do what for the NOC."

Keino says that after the delays passing the constitution he is happy both the NOC and national federations are "working together as one team."

"We are quite happy," Keino added. "We are here for the youth of our country not for individual success and that’s the most important."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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