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Kenya's athletics legend slams succession plan at body

Xinhua, April 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

Athletics Kenya (AK) president Isaiah Kiplagat has been accused of violating the federation's constitution in anointing retired Army Commandant, Lieutenant General Jackson Tuwei, as his successor as he proceeds on a three-month leave pending his eventual relinquishing of power.

Speaking in Eldoret Tuesday, retired former 10,000m world champion and Olympics silver medallist Moses Tanui, said federation vice-president in charge of administration and competition, David Okeyo, should have taken over instead.

Okeyo, a veteran administrator who is also the chairman of IAAF Cross Country Commission, polled the most votes in the vice-presidents ballot during the 2012 AK elections.

"Kiplagat made a big mistake to appoint Tuwei in acting capacity. The bona fide person to take over was Okeyo, who is second in command and not Tuwei," Tanui stated.

"His decision to appoint Tuwei is against the constitution which is supreme. It is contravening the same rules they are supposed to safeguard," the two-time Boston Marathon winner added.

However, AK Chief Executive Officer, Isaac Mwangi, clarified the constitution did not provide for a successor and the top decision organ ruled Tuwei should take over in acting capacity.

"There is no provision of who should take over should the president stand down and besides, no one has resigned or forced out of office for any other reason. Kiplagat has gone on a sabbatical, not left office and the Executive Committee decided Tuwei to be in interim charge," the chief executive explained.

On suspending Rosa Associati and Volare Sports from representing Kenyan athletes for six months pending investigations into doping levelled against them, the retired legend said the move was ill timed.

"Though I don't support doping as claimed by Kiplagat, the suspects should have been given a chance to defend themselves in the interests of fairness and justice," he said. "Suspending them now will only interfere with programmes that could destabilize the athletes." Endi