Kenya Banned From Swimming Competitions

Kenya has been banned from participating in international swimming and other aquatic sports competitions by the World Aquatics governing body. 

The ban comes after the Kenya Swimming Federation (KSF) failed to hold elections as scheduled. The KSF has not held elections since 2014, with current officials in disagreement over the election structure and other issues. The World Aquatics governing body had given the federation until July 8 to hold an election or face the risk of being blacklisted from global events. 

Initially, Kenya was under suspension, with swimmers allowed to participate as individuals but not under the country's flag. However, the governing body has now imposed a total ban, including cutting funding to local swimming associations. The elections, which were scheduled for last month, failed to take place after the Centre of Corporate Governance was unable to provide a returning officer due to alleged coercion and intimidation from various petitioners.

On Monday, the Kenya Aquatics Stabilization Committee announced that Kenyan aquatic competitors will be led by an Interim Management Committee and a Stabilization Committee, as there is currently no duly elected team in the federation due to ongoing legal disputes and injunctions preventing new elections. Despite Sports CS Ababu Namwamba's appointment of a 5-member team to oversee the elections, a public notice published in Friday's newspapers referenced a case lodged at the High Court of Kenya that stopped the elections.

Stakeholders have expressed disappointment and outrage at the situation, with Maureen Owiti, a presidential candidate, blaming unknown individuals for intimidating the returning officer who failed to show up. She is calling for swift action to address the issue and restore morale in the swimming community.