The ongoing Athletics Kenya (AK) Constitutional Review continue to gather pace with the exercise having already been held in Eldoret,Kapenguria and Garissa.
The exercise is meant to align AK’s operations with the Sports Act, 2013.
Participants have aired key concerns and proposals which they sought to be included in the draft document. Former world 800m champion Janet Jepkosgei said she was in support of the ongoing review, terming it as a timely exercise.
“This is a very important and timely exercise. I fully support it and thank Athletics Kenya for coming up with this idea. Today I had a few suggestions, which I have shared with the constitution review committee; one of my submissions is to have gender balance in the representation of Athletics Kenya leadership, we need to have the vice president’s position be reserved for a female,” Jepkosgei said.
She added: “Athletes representatives should also be elected and not handpicked and they should be from each of the gender. Athletics Kenya, under the guidance of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, in consultation with the stakeholders began the process of reviewing and amending its constitution pursuant to Section 46 of the Sports Act on November 3, 2025.
Former Boston Marathon winner Moses Tanui called for elections at all levels to be done on one day and proposed that national team coaches be selected by a team of renowned coaches. Team Kenya captain at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Julius Yego proposed inclusion of athletes representatives in the Athletics Kenya Executive and be allowed to wield executive powers.
In Kapenguria, where the exercise kicked off on November 3rd , several proposals were raised to curb the issues of doping, age cheating and rogue coaches.
Christopher Koskei ‘Jogoo’ who won the steeplechase gold medal at the 1999 World Championships called for strong male and female representatives elected during the Athletics Kenya elections.
He also called for the reprimanding of coaches and team managers alongside athletes found guilty of doping and proposed an eight year ban instead of two-year ban.
The meeting in Kapenguria, brought together stakeholders from Turkana, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot and Samburu.
In Garissa where the exercise was held as well on the opening day on Monday,with stakeholders drawn from Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties of the North Eastern Region.
The residents expressed concerns on the region’s athletics development. The participants called for improved sports infrastructure, including stadiums and training facilities, to nurture local talent.
Sports Registrar Rose Wasike who also attended the Garrissa sessions encouraged residents to share their views openly, noting that their feedback is vital in shaping a more accountable and inclusive athletics federation. She also explained key sections of the Sports Act, 2013, that guide sports governance and the need for transparency in management. “Public participation is not just a formality, it’s your right as stakeholders to shape the future of athletics in Kenya,” Wasike said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Athletics Kenya Vice Treasurer, Dilly Kisalu who emphasized that residents’ participation will help streamline athletics governance. “Public participation is key to this process. The feedback gathered here will ensure the new AK Constitution represents the views of all stakeholders,” Kisalu said.
The 12-Day forum being organized by AK in collaboration with Ministry of Sports, will also be held in Kinoru, Kakamega, Nyeri, Kisumu, Machakos, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Nairobi, before the exercise concludes on November 14, 2025.
