After elections were postponed last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya finally heads to the ballot today to name new officials to serve for a four-year term.
A fierce battle is expected as different officials from various federations attempt to unseat the incumbents most of whom will no doubt be unwilling to let go of their respective thrones. Only NOC-K president Paul Tergat, alongside three other officials, can afford to rest easy in the knowledge that they have already secured another term since they did not have any challengers.
The others include male and female athletes' representatives Humphrey Kayange and Hellen Obiri respectively.
At the close of business, the mood in different camps was bullish as each candidate felt they had proved themselves more than equipped to the task at hand. However, for Kenya National Paralympic Committee president Agnes Oluoch, it was all in God's hand after the bumpy ride she experienced on the road to the polls.
Last Thursday, her dreams were in danger of evaporating in thin air after she failed to present a certificate of good conduct as was required by the electoral code of conduct.
"I am yet to understand why I have not been granted voting rights like the rest. However, I leave it all up to God and put my trust in Him that He will come through for me," Oluoch said.
As a sign of the strong faith in her maker, Oluoch was still campaigning and canvassing for votes.
So far, 26 candidates had been cleared to vie for the different positions after presenting the requisite documents, including nomination forms, code of conduct, tax compliance, EACC forms, HELB clearance, Credit Reference Bureau Clearance, and certificates of good conduct.
With all systems go, today's Electoral Congress at Pride Inn Hotel in Nairobi promises to be the stage for mouthwatering battles at the ballot.
Deputy secretary-general Francis Mutuku and Kenya Table Tennis Association President Andrew Mudibo will go head-to-head for the secretary general's post.
The presence of secretary-general Francis Paul in the race has further raised the stakes considering he is keen to bounce back into leadership after he was acquitted of any wrongdoing in the Rio Olympics scandal.
During that period, Mutuku was the acting secretary-general. The treasurer's position will be a duel between incumbent Anthony Kariuki and Moses Mbuthia whereas Kenya Judo Federation president Shadrack Maluki, Kenya Hockey Union President Nashon Randiek and Kenya Rugby director John Kilonzo will be in a three-way tussle for the first deputy president's post.
Kenyan long-distance legend Tegla Lorupe will be seeking to dethrone current second deputy president, Kenya Volleyball Federation president Waithaka Kioni.
Also up for grabs will be positions in the executive committee, which has attracted the following: Athletics Kenya director of youth development Barnaba Korir; Boxing Federation of Kenya treasurer and Hit Squad coach Benjamin Musa; and Kenya Cycling Federation general secretary Charles Mose.