The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) has once again postponed its elections, this time following the tragic death of Kenya Basketball Federation Chairman Paul Otula, who passed away on May 1.

NOC-K President Paul Tergat made the announcement during a virtual executive meeting, saying the process would resume after Otula’s burial.

Kenya Basketball Federation Chairman Paul Otula passed away on May 1, 2025, at his Kitengela home in Kajiado County. PHOTO/oleteya/x

This latest postponement follows a previous delay caused by unresolved disputes among four federations regarding voting rights. The elections, originally scheduled for April 24, were derailed when the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), Kenya Handball Federation (KHF), Triathlon Kenya (TK), and Kenya Taekwondo Federation failed to agree on who should serve as their voting delegates.

During the Annual General Meeting, tensions ran high as the NOC-K executive attempted to broker a resolution between the wrangling parties. Despite outgoing President Tergat’s efforts to mediate, the elections could not proceed, and the agenda was suspended indefinitely.

“Last time, we had to postpone the elections because some federations couldn’t decide who their legal voting delegate was,” NOC-K Secretary General Francis Mutuku said as quoted by a local publication. “Now, out of respect for Otula and his family, we are deferring the elections until after the burial.”

Uncertainty

Adding to the chaos, several federations are embroiled in court battles that further complicate the electoral process. The Sports Disputes Tribunal is currently handling cases from KVF, KHF, and TK, each involving rival officials claiming the right to vote on behalf of their federation.

Committee members follow proceedings during the NOC-K Annual General Meeting held in Nairobi.
PHOTO/@athleticskenya/X

At KVF, a showdown is brewing between President Charles Nyaberi and Moses Mbuthia, both of whom have laid claim to being the federation’s sole voting delegate. Nyaberi backs Shadrack Maluki’s camp, while Mbuthia, who is running for treasurer, has positioned himself as an independent candidate.

KHF is facing a similar power tussle between Chairman Francis Paul and Secretary General Nderitu Gikaria, who is also vying for a position on the NOC-K executive. These leadership disputes have created a legal minefield that the NOC-K executive must carefully navigate before moving forward.

“The Constitution and election rules are very clear, but implementation becomes hard when internal federation politics come into play,” Mutuku said. “We are committed to a free and fair process, but we must first ensure that all delegates are legitimate and legally endorsed.”

According to Article 5.2 of the 2025 Election Regulations, each federation is allowed to send two delegates, but one must be either the president or the secretary general. For a delegate to vote, both top officials must sign a letter confirming the nomination.

A total of 25 federations have been cleared to participate in the elections, but unresolved disputes continue to jeopardize a smooth transition. The NOC-K executive is expected to reconvene after Otula’s funeral to determine a new election date.

Twelve seats are up for grabs in the next round of elections, which will shape the leadership of Kenya’s Olympic movement for the next four years. The polls are widely seen as a face-off between camps led by Mutuku and Maluki, both eyeing to succeed Paul Tergat after his two-term tenure.