Upcoming National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) elections, scheduled for June 19, 2025, face fresh legal uncertainty following the sudden death of Kenya Basketball Federation chairman Paul Otula, prompting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to seek urgent legal clarity on how to proceed with the ballot. 

In a letter to the Noc-K Secretary dated June 4, 2025, IEBC Returning Officer Muthee Gakaru underscored the need to align with the Noc-K Constitution and electoral regulations. 

“We respectfully request that your office consult with your legal counsel and provide a definitive position on the way forward. A timely advisory on this matter will enable the Commission to proceed transparently and fairly, while ensuring full compliance with the legal framework governing the Noc-K elections,” Gakaru said.

Otula, who had been vying for the post of  Assistant Treasurer in the upcoming Noc-K elections, suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Nairobi, leading to his untimely demise on Thursday, May 1, 2025.  

The long-awaited election will be held on June 19, according to a statement issued by the Noc-K secretariat. 

The 13 elected posts up for grabs include president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary general, deputy secretary general, treasurer, assistant treasurer, three executive committee members, a woman representative and two athlete representatives (male and female). 

The election, which was the main agenda of the April 24, 2025, AGM, was postponed after four federations failed to agree on their voting delegates. 

Current Secretary General Francis Mutuku and incumbent First Vice President Shadrack Maluki are seeking the hot seat to succeed Paul Tergat as chair of the committee.  

Noc-K Executive Committee member Barnaba Korir is vying for the First Vice President position against Boxing Federation President Anthony Ombok, alias Jamal, while the Secretary General position has attracted Andrew Mudibo, who will be competing against John Ogola. 

Muthee noted that the commission is of the view that there should be a seamless substitution of the proposer and/or seconder where necessary.  

The submission should be administratively executed with minimal disruption, guided by due process and constitutional priority.