NAIROBI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- World women 5000m champion, Hellen Obiri and revered Kenya 7s star, Humphrey Kayange are the big sporting names that won posts in the country's Olympics body on Friday.
Obiri, who added the world title to the 5000m silver she won at the Rio 2016 Games and Kayange, a veteran of the Kenya 7s team that reached the semis of the Rugby Sevens World Cup in 2009 and 2013, were elected unopposed as Athlete's Representatives at the National Olympics Committee-Kenya (NOC-K).
The elections marked the end of the road for long-serving NOC-K bosses; Stephen arap Soi and James Chacha were barred from the exercise.
Kenya swimming, canoeing and rowing as well as cycling were the other federations whose delegates were disqualified from voting or presenting candidates due to factions bickering over their running.
Another respected Kenyan sporting icon, Paul Tergat, is the new head of the scandal-hit body following Friday's emotive Elective General Assembly (EGA) in Nairobi.
However, the former marathon record holder Tergat, 48, suffered a blow in his mission to inject fresh blood into the management of the NOC when his preferred choices in other posts lost.
Retired former women marathon record holders; Catherine Ndereba and globally acclaimed peace ambassador, Tegla Loroupe are the most high profile names who were floored in the exercise.
The other huge surprise was the stunning return of beleaguered Francis Kinyili Paul to the powerful post of Secretary General.
The incumbent retained his seat by only a vote, garnering nine against Andrew Mudibo who got eight in the tight race.
The third contender for the powerful seat, John Kilonzo, got only one.
Paul is out on bail after being charged with theft of money and kit belonging to Team Kenya for the 2016 Rio Olympics Games.
Previously an assistant Secretary General for over a decade, Paul ascended to the post in 2007 when he succeeded the late Tom O'Omuombo who died in Beijing, China whilst attending an International Olympics Committee (IOC) planning meeting for the 2008 Olympic Games.
In the aftermath of the Rio 2016 Games, Paul was one of the four top NOC-K officials arrested, charged and bailed over the scandal where thousands of dollars and Nike kit belonging to the athletes went missing or was embezzled.
Co-accused, immediate former first and second Deputy-presidents, Ben Ekumbo and Pius Ochieng opted not to run.
Shadrack Maluki (10) beat closest rival Nahashon Randieki (nine) to clinch the first deputy position to replace Ekumbo who was famously arrested hiding under his bed by police officers last year.
Long-serving Kenya Volleyball Federation boss, Waithaka Kioni (13) comprehensively beat Athletics Kenya President, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei (six) in ballot for the second Deputy president post.
Soi was barred from running for the Deputy treasurer's position in an inglorious end to his extended two decade tenure at NOC-K.
The abrasive administrator was viewed as the face of the Rio 2016 fiasco as the Head of Mission for Team Kenya.
He was the fourth accused who is out on bail having been charged with five counts of stealing money, theft by servant and embezzlement of funds and kit meant for Team Kenya.
Soi has protested his innocence and a fortnight ago, had his passport released to attend a Commonwealth Games Foundation meeting in Gold Coast, Australia next month ahead of next April's Club Games.
His Deputy Chief de Mission, Chacha also fell to a similar fate as his boss and although he was questioned by police, he was not arrested or charged with any offense related to the Rio scandal.
Paul Rombo (11) from Kenya Rugby Union beat Boxing Association of Kenya chief, John Kameta (eight) in the race to take over from Soi.
A fifth former NOC-K Executive Committee member, outgoing Treasurer, Fridah Shiroya, was initially arrested but was turned into a State witness against her former colleagues.
Shiroya announced last September she would not defend her seat and will be succeeded by Eliud Kariuki (11) who beat renowned sports journalist, Elynah Shiveka (eight). Enditem
