Finally!! Kenya Swimming Federation ban lifted by World Aquatics

Finally!! Kenya Swimming Federation ban lifted by World Aquatics

Abigael Wafula 10:30 - 18.10.2023

The Kenya Swimming Federation was banned in 2019 but they can breathe since their ban has been lifted.

The Kenyan Swimming Federation can now send a team to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games following their ban that has now been lifted by World Aquatics.

The KSF was initially suspended on a temporary basis in late 2019 for failing to meet election deadlines, and in May 2022, they were banned by World Aquatics indefinitely after elections still had not taken place.

However, after successfully holding their elections on Saturday at the Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani, the world governing body lifted their ban.

Sports CS Ababu Namwamba was among the first people to express joy, posting on his X (Twitter) handle to share the news.

In the lengthy post, he said: “Great day for Kenyan swimming as World Aquatics lifts the long-standing suspension of Kenya Aquatics imposed in 2019.

Am delighted for our Kenyan swimmers who can now compete across the globe, proudly flying our flag. I thank the World Aquatics Executive Committee for working closely with us to figure out a path back to normalcy.

The government of Kenya through the Ministry of Sports is committed to revitalising and growing swimming alongside all sports disciplines in the country.

I look forward to seeing Kenyan swimmers compete at the Paris Olympics next year.”

During the elections conducted on Saturday, the new federation will be led by President Maureen Owiti, Stanley Kaberu (first vice president), Hillary Seri (second vice president), and Collins Marigiri (secretary general).

Grace Kingori will be the assistant secretary as Liz Fatima takes the treasurer's docket. She will be assisted by Doris Njue with Omar Omari and Heize Kahindo as committee members