Who will become the new President of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K)? 

That is the million-dollar question purists are asking as outgoing Secretary General Francis Mutuku takes on the outgoing First Deputy President Shadrack Maluki today, June 19, 2025, for the hot seat of NOC-K President at Hyatt Regency, Muthithi Road, Nairobi. 

Paul Tergat has occupied the seat for two Olympic cycles, and as such, will not be on the ballot in today’s elections. 

It will be interesting, though, to see how the exercise pans out given the June 17, 2025, Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) verdict on the formation of the Normalisation Committee in case today’s elections flop once more. 

The elections, which were postponed from the initial date, April 24, 2025, were rescheduled to today. 

SDT issued the order Tuesday, June 17, 2025, that in the event the elections do not take place today for any reason not attributed to Force Majeure or external judicial restraint, Sports CS Salim Mvurya is granted powers to intervene and establish a Normalisation Committee to oversee the affairs of NOC-K and ensure timely and lawful conduct of elections. 

A total of 27 candidates will be on the ballot, competing for 13 spots at stake in the Electrical Congress.

The new office bearers elected today will receive a four-year mandate ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.  

Manifestos 

Maluki, who is also the Judo president, has promised to collaborate closely with all sports federations in order to promote and grow sports throughout the nation if elected in Thursday’s election.

Maluki has pledged to refocus on serving athletes’ interests, federations, and the wider Kenyan public. 

Mutuku,  on the other hand, is campaigning on a platform of early Olympic preparations, financial sustainability, sports technology and athlete-centred leadership. 

After months of controversy amid uncertainty and an aborted election in April 2025, the moment of truth is finally here. 

In April, triathlon, handball, volleyball and Taekwondo failed to resolve internal wrangles over who held the legitimate voting mandate between their respective Presidents and Secretaries General, culminating in botched elections. 

Tergat was elected the NOC-K Chairman unopposed during the 2017 General Assembly held in Nairobi, replacing Kipchoge Keino.  

The NOC-K presidency has, from time immemorial, proven to be a hot seat. 

The First Deputy President’s post has Boxing Federation of Kenya President Anthony Otieno Ombok aka Jamal taking on Barnaba Kipyego Korir of Athletics Kenya.  

Eliud Anthony Kariuki and Nahashon Randiek of hockey will tussle for the post of Second Deputy President. 

Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA) boss Andrew Mudibo is lined up against John Ogolla of weight-lifting. 

Deputy Secretary General’s post has Francis Njeru Karugu of Softball up against Kenya’s rugby sevens legend Humphrey Emonyi Kayange. 

The Treasury has Fred Kamau Chege against Mohamed Shoaib Vayani Abdulgani and Moses Mbutihia of volleyball. 

Deputy Treasurers’ seat has Charles Mose Osoro against the late Paul Agali Otula.  

Otula collapsed and died at his home in Kitengela in May. 

Executive Committee Members’ posts have the likes of Suleiman Sumba Kanyanya, Alexander Mutai, Gakuo Ndirangu, Purvin Ramesh Rawal, Ndiritu Gikaria and Joycelene Nyamboru 

The Women Representatives’ post has Doreen Atieno Okiri and volleyball’s Mududa LP Waweru. 

Female Athlete Representatives have attracted Grace Adhiambo Okulu and Edith Mukuvilani. The Male Representative pot has marathon GOAT Eliud Kipchoge.