Legend In The Dock: Kenyans Divided Over Kipchoge Keino Charges

NAIROBI, Kenya- The decision to charge retired long distance running icon, Dr Hezekiah Kipchoge Keino over the Rio 2016 Olympics fiasco sparked huge online debate with Kenyans divided on whether he should be subjected to prosecution owing to his iconic status and advanced age. 

Keino, the two-time Olympic champion and former president of the National Olympics Committee-Kenya (NOCK) faces charges alongside six others for misappropriating funds and abuse of office over the scandal that tainted the country’s record performance at the biggest sporting carnival on earth.

The honorary International Olympics Committee (IOC) member who is expected back to the country on Wednesday from Mexico and former Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts, Dr. Hassan Wario who is now Kenya’s Ambassador to Austria were ordered to surrender to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Thursday.

Fellow accused, Kenya’s ambassador to Russia, Richard Ekai, NOCK secretary general, Francis Kinyili Paul and Stephen Kiptanui arap Soi, the Chef de Mission to Rio 2016 appeared before Anti-Corruption court magistrate, Douglas Ogoti, where they were released on KSh1m cash bail or KSh2m bond.

Harun Komen, a former Director and Patrick Kimithi, finance official at the Sports Ministry were the other suspects in the case who failed to appear at the Corruption Court on Monday.

Soy Member of Parliament, Caleb Kositany, kicked off the discussion when he told reporters in Parliament that charges against Kipchoge should be dropped and he was willing to lead a funds drive to recover the public money he is alleged to have mishandled.

“I have a problem with this Rio report, especially on Mr Keino. He is in his 80s and surely the old man deserves respect for what he has done for this country.

“We are ready to fundraise and pay for the millions he is being accused of so that he can be free,” Soy MP Caleb Kositany told journalists.

Sanitise Keino

As his story made rounds on social media, Kenyans took to the most popular social media platforms in the country, Facebook and Twitter, to share their stand on the matter with opinion sharply divided.

“I have seen some people urging the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the DCI to drop corruption charges against Mr Kipchoge Keino on grounds that he is a hero, legend and that his age is advanced. Surely, what is this?” Philip Etale, a Director of Communications for opposition leader, Raila Odinga, posted on Twitter.

“I can't believe people are trying to sanitize Kipchoge Keino, I don't care what he has achieved for Kenya. If he is guilty, arraign him in court,” radio journalist, Alex Ronald, added.

“DPP should leave Kipchoge Keino alone. This is an icon that stood for Kenya when we had no name. He should be left to retire in peace,” another user of the micro-blogging site, Msema Kweli countered.

Debate on the other popular social media platform in country, Facebook followed a similar pattern and it remains to be seen how the public will react to seeing him on the dock.

“He should face justice for the treatment we got in Rio,” Viola Lagat, who represented Kenya in the women 1500m at the Brazil Olympics, wrote.

“At his sunset days (78yrs), and with a chain of gold and silver medals in trail, and with all the contributions and commitment that he has exhibited in the world of sports, and with all the inspiration to the upcoming talents, and with his household name and international acclaim, our legendary athletic icon Kipchoge Hezekiah Keino is headed to court to face corruption charges.

“Nothing could be darker in the sporting industry than this,” lawyer Wahome Thuku remarked.

“Who thought that one day Kipchoge Keino would be a wanted man,” Josh Mwangi simply posed.

This is not the first time the retired distance runner who is hailed, as the ‘Father of Kenya Athletics’ will be fighting to preserve his rich legacy having failed in his spirited bid to remain at the helm of NOCK last year.

NOCK reform

Following the Rio scandal, Wario who then the Sports Minister dissolved the NOCK Executive Committee led by Kipchoge on August 27, 2016 but instead of letting go, the legend took a delegation to IOC headquarters in Lausanne to quash the move.

However, IOC insisted on reforming the tainted Nock by drafting a new constitution and fresh elections, initially mooted for December 2016 but after an impasse between the incumbent Executive and those seeking their ouster, the polls were first shifted to March this year before the exercise aborted on May 8, 2017.

Ultimately, the Olympics body pressed for reform that saw Kipchoge relinquish his position at the helm of NOCK on September 29, 2017 to Paul Tergat, another long distance running icon, when he was prevailed to withdraw from the leadership race.

“I had to make sure everything was in order at Nock before handing over. NOCK is an organisation that holds the future of the youth in this country and we could not simply allow people with no interest in sport to take over,” two-time Olympic winner Keino told The Standard last year.

On October 4, Keino formally handed over the instruments of power to Tergat but he still retains his NOCK honorary life membership and will continue being involved albeit in an advisory role in the running of the organisation.

Magistrate Ogoti ordered Keino and Wario to present themselves to DCI headquarters for grilling at 6am on Thursday before facing charges in his court the following morning.