World Aquatics lifts ban on Kenyan Swimming Federation

By Our Reporter

If there is any country that has really suffered with International sports bodies bans then its  Kenya.
We all know that this year, FIFA lifted a ban on Kenya’s national football federation, following the government’s decision to reinstate the body after disbanding it over corruption allegations and the decision was made following the reinstatement of Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) executive committee by Kenya’s new sports minister.

The ban took effect on February 24 after the sports ministry disbanded the FKF over alleged misappropriation of funds and appointed a caretaker committee.

The other good news in Kenya is that the World Aquatics has also  lifted the ban on Kenya swimming following the conclusion of the elections held a fortnight ago at Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani.

In a letter to Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) Secretary General, Francis Mutuku confirmed communication from the world governing body, readmitting the country back to the global swimming family according to the-star.co.ke

The letter read: “We make reference to the above and notify you that communication from the World Aquatics executive committee has confirmed the lifting of the Kenya Swimming ban with immediate effect.”
He added: “We wish to thank you for your support and guidance in the process. Kenyan swimmers can now fly our flag proudly.”

The move means Kenya will now compete at the CANA Zone 3 Swimming Championships  due in Rwanda next month as well as the Africa Junior Championships in Mauritius in December.

Other events to feature include the World Long Course Swimming Championships in Doha, Qatar next year in February and the Paris Olympics in July.  Between 2021 and this year, Kenyan swimmers swam under a neutral flag.
The move is the culmination of a long winding process that has seen the swimming fraternity engage in wrangles since 2017 following the resignation of former chairman, Ben Ekumbo.

Several mediation attempts were unsuccessful, starting with the Sports Dispute Tribunal courtesy of chairman John Ohaga between 2017-2021.

Kenya was then suspended from all swimming activities in 2019 and until elections were held early this month, the stakeholders including coaches,  parents, and administrators were pulling in different directions.

World Aquatics then formed a Stabilisation Committee in June last year and appointed South Africa’s Jace Naidoo, Uganda’s Moses Mwase, and Mutuku to spearhead the elections process.

The elections, which were due to be held in July but were aborted at the 11th hour, were held a fortnight ago at Moi Stadium, Kasarani with Maureen Owiti elected as the new president of Kenya Aquatics.