Long-serving Kenya Cycling Federation (KCF) Secretary General Charles Mose has been elected president of the federation after a closely guarded election held in Eldoret last month.
The elections, however, turned out to be largely a family affair, with key positions shared among individuals with close family ties and all the available positions going uncontested, from the presidency to the executive committee and athlete representatives.
Many saw all the available positions go uncontested, turning elections into selections with the new leadership structure raising questions about the concentration of positions among individuals with existing family and close personal connections within the federation.
Kelvin Mwangi, the son of the late Mwangi, was elected Mose’s deputy. Before the elections, Kelvin had been serving as the federation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Johnson Chiungu, who previously served as vice president, was elected Secretary General and will be deputized by Faith Maina, who has worked as a nutritionist with the national cycling team.
Joshua Ndege retained his position as treasurer, with Jackline Mwangi elected as his deputy. Jackline, the daughter of Chiungu, had previously been serving as a coach.
Mulemi Bii was elected chief commissaire.
The Executive Committee will be led by Emmah Kerubu, an in-law of Mose, alongside Cynthia Orwaru, Mose’s niece, and Susan Ondieki, Mose’s nephew.
Bruce Mwenda and Gathohi Isabella Wanjiru were elected as the male and female athletes’ representatives respectively, while Priscillah Wairimu was elected as the gender representative.
Leah Nyaboke Marita was elected to represent Para Cycling.
The uncontested nature of the elections and the apparent concentration of leadership positions among individuals linked by family relationships is likely to raise questions about governance, accountability and competition within the federation.