World Aquatics, the world swimming and other aquatic sports governing body, has officially banned Kenya from competing in international swimming competitions. This follows the Kenya Swimming Federation’s (KSF) failure to hold elections as scheduled.
The federation had been given till July 8 to hold an election or risk being blacklisted from global events. The ultimatum comes after the federation had failed to pick new officials despite numerous probes.
The Kenya Swimming Federation has not held elections since 2014. The current officials are however wrangling with each other over the structure of elections and other issues.
Prior to the ban, Kenya was suspended from taking part in swimming competitions. The swimmers were however allowed to compete individually, without flying the country flag.
Kenya has now been officially banned from competitions in totality. The body has even cut funding to local swimming associations following the ban from competitions.
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KSF Election Polls Saga
The KSF had scheduled polls for July, but the Centre of Corporate Governance failed to provide a returning officer. The reason submitted was termed as ‘coercion and intimidation from various petitioners’. Maureen Owiti, who was running for the federation’s presidency blamed unknown people for intimidating the returning officer who failed to show up.
The differences within the federation have been in court, with contact injunctions stopping the elections of new officials. On Friday, July 7, a case at the High Court stopped the elections scheduled despite the sports CS, Ababu Namwamba’s appointment of a five-member team to help with the elections.
“We appeal to all higher offices concerned not to lead us to a path where no magic will be performed where others have failed,” Maureen Owiti mentioned.
Stakeholders have expressed their disappointment and outrage following the ban imposed.
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