PD Sports Editor Waindi elected SJAK President as Nguvu Mpya sweeps all seats

Team Nguvu Mpya on Saturday, April 14 captured top positions during the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) election that took place at the Nyayo Stadium following an earlier postponement.

Mediamax Network Limited’s People Daily Sports Editor James Waindi was elected the new president after trouncing incumbent Chris Mbaisi of The Star in a score of 37-26 votes. Some 11 votes were declared spoilt.

In what was a show of defiance and an urge to have fresh blood, the upset did not end there as the new Vice-Chairman of the sports body is now Eric Njiru of Homeboyz Radio replacing incumbent James Magayi in a count result of 34 against 27 with 8 votes being called as spoilt.

The new president has called for unity to make the SJAK more vibrant. “We want to thank the voters for trusting us with this honor. Our priority is obviously the Constitution where we believe there is a need for a couple of amendments so that there is fairness.

“We also want to focus on improving the membership through a recruitment drive so that a lot more journalists are brought on board. We have about 500 Sports Journalists in the country yet only about 88 are registered so that is a priority for us as we begin our tenure,” he said in his maiden speech flanked by the fallen Mbaisi who conceded defeat later on.

Mukami Wambora also known fondly as Wakili is the new Treasurer replacing Capital FM’s Alex Isaboke after a 35-28 vote win in a contest that had four spoilt votes cast.

Wambora just like her Nguvu Mpya counterparts had put up a silent campaign with most of the strategy involving talking to individual voters on the agenda which dwelt mainly on accountability and transparency in financial obligations.

Mediamax Network also got another important slot with K24 Television Sports Editor Abuller Ahmed elected among five Executive Members including Radio Citizen’s Geoffrey Mwamburi, Nation Newspaper reporter Agnes Makhandia and Freelance Journalist Charity Wanja.

Samson Ateka of The Star survived after going through unopposed in the Organizing Secretary position albeit having vigorously campaigned for the immediate previous office holders.

SJAK SG position

The crucial Secretary General post was not contested following the late stepping down of incumbent Mike Okinyi of Citizen TV and the disqualification of KTN Senior Sports Reporter Moses Wakhisi who allegedly was said not to have met some requirements.

The move was seen as a stumbling block and controversial with the contestant having complained bitterly. However, it is emerging that the new office could soon call a Special General Meeting (SGM) to announce the vacancy and decide on an interim holder or alternatively an election.

The elected members are set to collectively have a four-year term where the new test will be on bringing back reforms and change. A lot of hue and cry has been buzzing internally with members calling for new ideas.