One-vote wins put hockey, fencing, softball at helm of NOCK

Barnaba Korir, new NOC-K First Vice President during voting in Nairobi on July 21, 2025 

Leaders from hockey, fencing and softball have won top seats at the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK), each by one vote, in results that could change how Kenya prepares for the Olympics.

Barnaba Korir of Athletics, Nahashon Randiek of Hockey, Francis Karugu of Softball and Fred Chege of Fencing have won key NOCK positions after tight races in elections held on Monday, July 21, ending months of delays and disputes over delegate lists.

Korir has secured the First Vice President seat with 15 votes, beating boxing official Anthony Otieno Ombok, known as Jamal, who got 12 votes. Korir, who also represents Athletics Kenya (AK), has long pushed for youth talent and grassroots sports development.

“Kenya’s Olympic future depends on the investment we make in our youth today. We must be deliberate, focused and inclusive,” said Korir during a past forum on Olympic youth strategy.

Randiek, who previously chaired the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU), has won the Second Vice President seat with 14 votes, narrowly defeating Anthony Kariuki of Wrestling, who received 13 votes.

“We need to expand the Olympic vision beyond a few disciplines. Hockey, handball and volleyball deserve strategic attention,” noted Randiek in a recent interview.

Karugu, representing Softball under the Kenya Softball Baseball Federation (KSBF), has been elected Assistant Secretary General with 14 votes against former rugby player Humphrey Kayange, who received 13 votes.

 Karugu has pushed for infrastructure and coaching to develop softball, which is seeking Olympic inclusion.

Chege, who serves as treasurer for the Kenya Fencing Federation (KFF), has won the Treasurer seat with 14 votes, defeating Moses Mbuthia of Volleyball, who received 13 votes.

The  elections followed a postponed Annual General Meeting (AGM) that was initially scheduled for Thursday, April 24, due to disputes among four federations over delegate lists.

The new leadership is expected to guide preparations for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics while broadening support for sports that have traditionally received less attention in Kenya’s Olympic plans.

Committee Members include Suleiman Sumba (Taekwondo )14, Sasha Mutai (Rugby) 14, Woman representative results saw Doreen Okiri (shooting)14 win over Mududa Waweru (volleyball) 13, while Grace Adhiambo Okulu (Rugby) 15 is the new Athlete Representative (Women) against Edith Wisa (Volleyball ) who garnered 12.