JSC appoints new members to Sports Dispute Tribunal
By Joel Masibo, October 27, 2025The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced the appointment of new members to the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) in accordance with the provisions of the Sports Act (Cap. 223).
The particular appointments were published through Gazette Notices No. 15207 and 15208, signed by Chief Justice Martha K. Koome, who also serves as the Chairperson of the JSC, on Monday, October 27, 2025.
New SDT members
In the announcement, the JSC appointed Eddie Omondi, Victor Obwaya Omwebu, Aleli Peris Mukoko (Ms.), Nicodemus Kimanthi Musau, and Luke Wamugunda Irungu as members of the Sports Disputes Tribunal. Their appointments take effect from September 15, 2025, and will run for a term of five years.
Additionally, the Commission appointed Allan Mola Owinyi as the Deputy Chairperson of the Tribunal. His appointment is effective from October 7, 2025, and will run until May 16, 2030.
The Sports Disputes Tribunal, established under the Sports Act, serves as an independent body mandated to resolve disputes within Kenya’s sports sector, including conflicts involving federations, clubs, athletes, and sports organisations. The new appointments are expected to strengthen the tribunal’s capacity to handle an increasing number of cases arising from governance and disciplinary issues across various sports disciplines.
The new members at the SDT come on board after Senior Counsel John Ohaga left office as the Sports Dispute Tribunal Chairman, after his ten-year tenure came to an end in November 2024. Upon Ohaga’s exit, Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome appointed Jane Njeri Onyango as the Tribunal’s chairperson, albeit in an acting capacity.
Ohaga’s reign ends
Seven months later, CJ Koome in her position as the chairperson of the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC), appointed advocate Benard Murunga Wafula as the new Chairperson of SDT. The team is put in place to restore law and order in matters of conflict surrounding individual athletes, clubs, agents and organisations within the country’s sports environment.
Notably, Kenya’s sportsmen come into conflicts with their employers in unprocedural contract termination and failure to respect the terms provided in the related legal documents. The new team is set to begin its duties immediately, marking a new phase in the tribunal’s role in safeguarding justice and accountability within Kenya’s sporting fraternity.