As the clamour for reforms at Athletics Kenya gathers momentum, athletes, coaches, and officials are calling for adequate representation and urgent reforms to guarantee their participation in crucial decisions. A public participation report reveals a push by athletes and their support personnel, mostly retired athletes, for better governance. They are demanding the right to vote and participate directly in the election of AK officials.
Distance runners believe they deserve the right to elect their leaders upon the conclusion of the ongoing constitutional reforms, a hotly contested issue in Kenyan athletics. To achieve these demands, athletes want to be included in the AK management structure with a "one athlete, one vote" framework, allowing them to elect AK officials directly rather than through representatives under the delegates system.
According to a memorandum prepared by athletes and grassroots officials, every registered athlete meeting the eligibility requirements should have the right to participate directly and by secret ballot in the election of AK officials. The document expresses the desire for a new electoral chapter, with County Athletics Associations forming part of the decentralised governance structure of Athletics Kenya, subject to the AK Constitution, policies, and regulations.
The proposed reforms also suggest amending the Constitution to establish that registered and eligible athletes shall directly participate in the election of AK's elected officials, rather than exercising their electoral rights solely through intermediaries or regional structures. A public participation report prepared for AK by C&K Advocates reveals that many participants in the 2025 forums emphasised the need for strong representation of athletes, including male, female, retired, active, and Paralympic athletes.
The report states that there was widespread support for the formal involvement of retired athletes and experienced coaches in governance. The constitutional review coincides with global reforms by World Athletics, emphasising athlete-centred governance, stricter compliance frameworks, inclusive participation, and strengthened national governance structures. AK must ensure its constitution is aligned with these requirements to maintain Kenya's leadership position in global athletics.
However, questions have been raised over the reviewed constitution's compliance with the Kenyan Constitution and the Sports Act. Athletes are demanding the election of all officials from the ward to the county and national levels, similar to Kenya's general elections. They want to participate alongside their coaches in identifying talent in schools and addressing wrongs at the county level, while leaving the national executive with policy development responsibilities.
Participants in the forums, including Nahashion Chirchir, Simon Biwott, Sammy Koskei, and Jane Toroitich, have shared their views on the proposed reforms. They emphasise the need for clear rules on the election of teams and coaches, conflict of interest avoidance, and open public accounts and budgets. The athletes and coaches believe these reforms will help maintain Kenya's glory in distance running and ensure the election of leaders who will prioritise their needs and concerns.
Key points
- Athletes and coaches in Kenya are demanding a "one athlete, one vote" framework and direct participation in the election of AK officials.
- The proposed reforms aim to align Athletics Kenya's constitution with global standards set by World Athletics.
- The reforms also seek to involve retired athletes and experienced coaches in governance and ensure compliance with the Kenyan Constitution and the Sports Act.
