Powerlifting bronze medallist Joyce Wambui Njuguna was one of the athletes that got to compete at Glasgow 2014 ©Getty Images

The Kenya National Paralympic Committee (KNPC) has blamed its former chair Agnes Oluoch for its suspension from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and is taking the matter to court.

Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and the Arts Hassan Wario has since appointed a new team following the suspension of the KNPC earlier this month. 

But the Committee’s lawyer, Brian Otieno, has claimed Oluoch and Kenyan Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch “meddled” in the affairs of the board and sent the wrong information to the IPC, which led to its failure.

Oluoch was ousted from her position in February this year for allegedly breaching the KNPC constitution on a number of occasions.

Dennis Muga Omondi, who took over as acting chairperson, said at the time: “It’s obvious that we can’t continue working under such conditions.

“Agnes does things her own way without consulting the board.

“I think we were all elected to work together and not as an individual.”

Oluoch’s election last November came following months of infighting after her first election in March was disputed by former officials.

The matter went to court after she first assumed office and the IPC threatened suspension before the Kenya Government took action, calling for new “inclusive” elections.

The feud also led to only 20 of the 32 athletes from the nation meant to be travelling to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games could compete, as the other 12 were not officially classified.

The KNPC will now take legal action in an attempt to block the formation of the new caretaker committee.



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Kenya National Paralympic Committee elects new chairman
February 2014: Kenyan Para-athletes miss out on places at Glasgow 2014