NOCK’s Francis Mutuku outlines his vision as he seeks to succeed Tergat

The stakes for the forthcoming elections of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) are getting hotter with sitting Secretary General Francis Mutuku officially launching his bid to succeed his current boss Paul Tergat for the top seat in the next Annual General Meeting on April 24.

His ambition for the 2025-2028 term is highlighted under the campaign theme “Born to Serve.”

Tergat, a global marathon icon, has been in the seat as President for the past eight years and will be standing down after his automatic two term tenure comes to an end. Mutuku, who is an old hand in sports administration, is selling his experience as his best bet with a promise to revamp NOCK and focus on good governance.

“I have first-hand experience on all aspects of sports management and have been working with the best in the industry. I have had some great achievements during my tenure from Deputy Secretary General, Acting Secretary General and then finally Secretary General for the past four years. I have learned from my boss the value of hard work and also organizational skills. Mine is to protect the legacy and take our association with member federations even higher. I believe that with good governance, we can only get better and that is my clear message even as I compete for the seat,” he told The Informer at Nairobi Club on the sidelines of his event.

Mutuku, who is also the Vice-President of Tennis Kenya Federation (TK), believes that it is in the interest of progression to seek a higher seat. “This is a natural jump and I am looking forward to selling my agenda and of course building my career. I have a very good understanding of NOCK needs and where we ought to be in the future,” he added.

His five key pillars would centre primarily on athletes’ welfare and development-so that the main attention is the sportspeople in terms of needs provision and support. Elite Athlete development is also at the centre-piece of Mutuku’s agenda towards creating a constructive and professional standard for top level. At the same time, stability of NOCK and its affiliate members is something he has decidedly laid interest on plus the element of financial stability and durability of the organization and individual federations. Mutuku also spoke on the importance of focus on technology and innovation as a key solution to developing sports.

“My mantra will be on three related issues focusing on service, innovation and education. If we get this right across the board, then we will be in a good place.”

“The challenges are familiar across the board for most sports federations in the country and it is my wish we could collaborate better and prescribe ideas that work. Obviously good governance and accountability is critical in terms of getting and keeping sponsors so this is something we want to work on going forward,” added Mutuku.

He further pointed out that grassroots development would be essential to mobilise growth. As a member of the Taskforce reviewing the Sports Act, Mutuku stated that if he owned the seat, he would advocate for plans that were reflective of everyday sorting realities within the document to act as a guide.

Also in the race is Humphrey Hayange, the NOCK Athletics Commission chairman.