John Ohaga is the chairman of the Sports Disputes Tribunal hearing submissions by Kenya National Paralympic Committee. (pictured left in the past)
Kenya paralaympic committee sports tribunal hearing on Tuesday June 2nd in Nairobi heard that interference from external forces contributed heavily to the current stalemate at the Kenya National Paralympic Committee (KNPC).
The panel of three people consisting of the chairman and prominent Nairobi lawyer as well as former rugby International star John Ohaga, vice chairperson Elyna Shiveka and Gichuru Kiplagat heard the submissions from both parties.
KNPC has sued the Ministry of Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario, Commissioner of Sports Gordon Oluoch and Sports Registrar Rose Wasike.
KNPC lawyer Brian Otieno who was the first to make submissions accused on allegations that Oluoch and Kenya National Sports Council played a role in the stand off pitting the two factions.
Otieno submitted that Oluoch had on two different occasions written letters to KNPC that were perceived to be in bad taste.
“The gist of these letters was that they should not accept outcome of the SGM. It also insinuated that he supported Flora Oluoch as the president and the letters clearly went against findings of the Sports Registrar,” alleged Otieno.
The lawyer reiterated that the main contentious issue is the legality of a Special General Meeting (SGM) held on February 14 leading to the ouster of KNPC President Agnes Flora Oluoch.
On the other hand, Ousted chair Agnes oluoch in her defense pointed out that witch hunting and jelousness as major issues and the main causes differences.
Oluoch added that all the troubles at KNPC began in December when Kenya was invited to South Korea. “I would like to state that this trip occasioned the fight. Only four persons were to go so very many people who wanted to travel were left out,” he stated.
“It is simply because the chairperson did not appoint who was to travel and this trouble was ignited. I thought that with my privileged position I would call them to a meeting and agree but they did not.”
She was replaced by Denis Muga and as a result, Kenya was suspended by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) because of persistent wrangling.
She together with sports commissioner Gordon oluoch were sued by some members due to what they cited as interference that led to KNPC being suspended by international paralympic commitee, IPC.
The 4th parties blamed secretary general Elijah Wandia for being a cheat, in his defence the SG regretted and said that sports commisioner and Agnes Oluoch dictated terms to him which were not for the good of paralympic athletes in kenya.
Agnes oluoch is accused to have hand picked her friends for the trip, instead of conducting a fair selection process that involved all parties.
Flora Oluoch suspension
Flora Oluoch was represented by Lydia Omuko who alleged the circumstances under which she was suspended are not clear
We are saying that the process used for suspending her was unprocedural since the notice for SGM was given out by the assistant secretary general and not the secretary general,” she submitted. “It is our position that she is still the president of KNPC.”
In his submission, Otieno for KNPC blamed her for the suspension by IPC but she denied any role. “It’s not true that I contributed to the suspension of Kenya. All members of the board were communicating with IPC which brought about the suspension.”
The panel gave priority to the hearing at the expense of other cases because of its urgency. “We understand that KNPC will be participating in some games very soon which is why we certified the hearing as urgent. We will come up with quick decisions to allow you get invitations to those games,” Ohaga said.
They will deliver their final ruling on June 23 at 2:30pm.
KNPC is made up of sports associations for wheelchair tennis and amputees, visually impaired, mentally handicapped and cerebral palsy which were enjoined to the case as interested parties