TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015
AK affiliates mull president’s decision to ‘step aside’
A past press conference at Riadha House. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The decision by Athletics Kenya president Isaiah Kiplagat to step aside for three months starting May 1 on Tuesday elicited mixed reactions from AK affiliates.
Paul Mutwii, the spokesperson of the 14 AK affiliates that have been agitating for Kiplagat’s resignation, said the move was in the right direction even though unconstitutional.
“We have wanted him (Kiplagat) to step aside which he has done,” said Mutwii, who was elevated to senior deputy president with Jackson Tuwei being appointed as acting President.
Kiplagat announced that he was stepping aside for three months to enable him campaign for the post of the vice president during the IAAF elections due in August in China.
“These is a tricky issue but the most important thing is that he is willing to step aside and AK has been left for us,” said Mutwii, who is also the AK Southern chairman said.
“We now need to sit down and consult with one another to see how we shall move forward.”
Mutwii, who attended the executive committee meeting that come up with several changes, said Kiplagat had already given an indication that he wouldn’t be staying for long.
“We hope this time he is sincere and there is no way he will renegade on his promises,” said Mutwii.
AK will hold their Annual General Meeting on April 30. “I think the meeting will discuss it and see if the changes will be accepted.”
“We were all caught unaware but let us hope Kiplagat means well for the sport,” said Mutwii.
Even as AK North Rift chairman John Wachira, AK Eastern chairman Joseph Kinyua and AK Nairobi treasurer Pak Kariuki described the move as unconstitutional, Kiplagat evoked Article 23 where the executive is mandated to fill any post deemed vacant until the next AGM.
NO VACANCY
Wachira and Kinyua said there was no vacancy since Kiplagat had just stepped aside hence no need to have an acting president or senior deputy president.
“The constitution is talking about a vacancy and not someone being appointed to take over someone who is on leave,” said Kinyua. “We can’t have someone with one leg in and another one out.”
Wachira said the move to elevate Jinaro Kibet, to the post of deputy president from a co-opted member, was not procedural saying only elected members in the executive ought to be picked.
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