End in sight: KSF attract World Aquatics ban in wake of postponed national elections

It is now official.

Kenya Aquatics - formerly Kenya Swimming Federation - is facing a looming ban from the International body in charge of swimming - World Aquatics - after the national body failed to hold the proposed elections on Saturday 8 July 2023.

World Aquatics had offered a leeway for the Kenya Swimming Federation a last opportunity to finally hold the national polls after close to two years under the leadership of an appointed Stabilization Committee but the latest development means the dreaded end couldn't come any sooner.

Mozzart Sport had reported the federation's plans to hold the elections on Saturday at the Kasarani Sports Stadium but as late as Friday morning -owing to all plans done and dusted - a public notice on the dailies served by Charles Kanjama, in place of Muma and Kanjama Advocates, asking a temporary injunction on the polls, casted more doubt on the process.

The public notice was one stemming from a March 2021 decision by the High Court of Kenya, addressed to three entities; Kenya Swimming Federation, Sports Kenya and Sports Registrar, ordering for temporary injunction on KSF from holding any elections purporting to effect changes in the leadership of the Executive Board.

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The case had been filed by the duo of Margaret Mwasha and Conrad Thorpe, with the case from Hon. Mr Justice Korir elected to stand following a latest court injunction by Hon. Lady Justice H.I Ong'undi.

Served by the notice, the lead team elected to hold the elections - the Centre of Corporate Governance - respected the pending court judgement and therefore stayed away from the elections.

Sources close to Mozzart Sport indicate that the elections were to take place virtually, with all positions, including that of Presidency, going unopposed.

The group of over 50 stakeholders, who were all left gutted with the decision, felt that the delay of the elections had been done 'deliberately due to personal interests by the duo of petitioners.'

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The members are now asking for the intervention of Sports Cabinet Secretary Hon. Ababu Namwamba to 'save the beloved sport from a ban.'

World Aquatics had last month sent a letter to the Kenyan Federation indicating that they would place sterner measures on them should the polls fail to take place.