National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei has cautioned Athletics Kenya’s officials against appealing the High Court’s decision to vacate office and order fresh elections.Moses Tanui, Julius Korir, Julius Kariuki, Christopher Kosgei, Wilson Boit, Susan Sirma, Leah Malot, Nixon Kiprotich, Hosea Kogo, and Mary Chemweno had sued Athletics Kenya through its officials over several issues revolving around the body, including making amendments without involving all members as per the Sports Act.##NAJAVA_MECA_7939355##In a judgment dated March 7, the High Court in Nairobi, through Judge Lawrence Mugambi, ruled that Athletics Kenya should conduct a further review of its constitution adopted or ratified on April 27, 2016, within the next 90 days, to consider views gathered during the last review to enhance inclusivity.Justice Mugambi further instructed that Athletics Kenya officials who have been in office for a cumulative of 8 years since the coming into force of the Sports Act have served their term limits in full and should vacate the office.The High Court added that the officials are ineligible to contest for any position in Athletics Kenya, including the body’s president, Jack Tuwei.Speaking during the launch of the fifth edition of the Eldoret City Marathon, Sholei noted that the task of running the country’s athletics body should be left to retired athletes who understood the joy and pain of representing the country in global events.“We are launching this marathon at a perfect time in history when Athletics Kenya will have new elections. I am hoping that all of you retired athletes will be members of Athletics Kenya and leaders of the same. We cannot have a situation where people who have never felt the pain of running manage athletics for us,” the outspoken Shollei said.Goalkeeper Brian Olang’o found tortured and broke after abductionThe Uasin Gishu County woman’s representative further lauded the brainchildren behind the court action, noting that they served as catalysts for change in the body.“Thank you to those who initiated the court action that has made Athletics Kenya open for election. First, I want to send a very stern warning to Athletics Kenya; don’t you dare appeal that case because you cannot stay there by force,” she continued.Shollei also highlighted a potential conflict of interest in the relationship between one of Athletics Kenya’s Vice Chairmen and the Chairman of the Sports Tribunal, emphasizing the need for change.”“People should know that there was something wrong going on in Athletics Kenya. The Vice President of Athletics Kenya is Jinaro Kibet, who is my friend. His law firm is the one handling the case to support Athletics Kenya. The Chairman of the Sports Tribunal is John Ohaga, who is also a partner in the law firm. That is incest. It must stop,” she told the attendees.She was concerned that the county, which is the City of Champions, lacked an accredited marathon. The outspoken Shollei questioned how Eldoret produced world-beating athletes but lacked a world-class marathon for the athletes who could not afford to compete globally.“How can we be a City of Champions without a marathon? We are the ones sending athletes to global races, yet we do not have an accredited home marathon,” she posed.“There are athletes who, to run an international marathon, should run a local marathon accredited by World Athletics. This is an opportunity for our young people to have a certified time to enter global races. Not all of them can afford to run the Nairobi City Marathon,” she averred.The fifth edition of the Eldoret City Marathon will be held on Sunday, April 21, in Uasin Gishu County.Kenya dealt blow as star midfielder opts to play for South Sudan
