Nyeri stakeholders call for retaining of regional sports structure in AK review

Speaking during the lively public participation forum on the proposed amendments to the AK constitution held at the Nyeri Town Constituency, participants noted that the regional structure has proven to be more effective in ensuring accountability, coordination, and the proper management of sports resources.

Led by Central Region Secretary General Lydia Karangu, participants noted that maintaining sports management at the regional level would facilitate coordination, making it easier and more efficient, and ensure representation for counties that may not participate.

“It’s cumbersome to converge 47 counties in one competition. Managing sports through the regional structure ensures efficiency and better organization,” said Karangu.

Her sentiments were echoed by Dickson Karani, from Kiambu County, who noted that sports management has faced challenges since the onset of devolution, and further devolving athletics to the county level could exacerbate the situation.

“Since devolution, sports have often been mismanaged at the county level. Taking athletics back there would be injurious to its progress,” said Karani.

Regional affiliates’ representatives, led by the South Rift Region Chairperson, assured participants that all views shared during the forum would be well captured and forwarded to the AK Constitutional Review Committee for consideration.

“Every opinion expressed here today will be documented and presented for discussion at the national level. This process belongs to all of us, and your voices are vital in shaping the future of athletics governance,” said the South Rift Chair.

On her part, Sports Registrar Rose Wasike highlighted the importance of internal dispute resolution mechanisms, calling upon stakeholders to exhaust the mechanisms before resorting to the courts.

Wasike noted that frequent legal battles have continued to cripple the growth and management of sports in the country.

“It’s important for sports stakeholders to fully utilize existing mechanisms for resolving disputes before turning to the courts. Court cases delay progress and weaken sports development,” said Wasike.

The Nyeri forum was part of the ongoing nationwide 12-day consultation exercise conducted under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, aimed at aligning AK’s governance framework with the Sports Act, 2013.