By Duncan Mackay

Isaiah Kiplagat head and shouldersMay 14 - Isaiah Kiplagat has won another five-year term as chairman of Athletics Kenya, extending a run which started in 1992, but lost two of his closest allies when Joseph Kinyua and public relations officer Peter Angweyi were surprisingly voted out of office. 


The 68-year-old Kiplagat (pictured), a member of the ruling Council of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), was the only officer unopposed in the elections at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi. 

But Kinyua, who had held his post since 1996, and Angweyi, who had served two terms, were both unseated. 

They were beaten by David Miano and Evans Bosire respectively. 

Another surprise was that Mary Chege, the coopted women's member on the Executive Committee, was beaten for the newly created role of vice-president for women, losing to Fatuma Awale.

David Okeyo, the long-serviing secretary general, whose position has been scrapped, was voted in as first vice-president.

Kinyua's final report revealed that Athletics Kenya had a surplus of Sh100 million (£786,000/$1.2 million/€929,000).

"I am happy to report that the year 2012 was yet another very successful year in terms of every parameter that counts in sound and prudent financial management," he said.

"The income rose considerably in 2011 due to the review of the Nike [sponsorship] contract and the favourable dollar exchange rate."

Kinyua claimed he had no argument with the decision to replace him.

"I have accepted the outcome and I'm happy to have served the sport for that long," he said.

"The time is ripe for me to engage in other things and I wish the new team all the best."

David Rudisha wins 800m London 2012Kenya's David Rudisha celebrates winning the Olympic gold in the 800 metres at London 2012 in a world record time

Kenya slipped to sixth on the Olympic medals table at London 2012, behind East African rivals Ethiopia, with a total of 11 medals, two of which were gold, for David Rudisha in the 800 metres and Ezekiel Kemboi in the 3,000m steeplechase.

At Beijing in 2008 they had finished third, behind only the United States and Russia, with 14 medals, six of them gold. 

Kiplagat wants the new members to help him restore Kenya's position as the leading African nation.

"It's not going to be easy," he said.

"If you don't deliver, then the people will deliver you.

"Don't rejoice that you have won [the election] but be ready to rejoice in what you will deliver."

He also urged the defeated candidates to continue working in athletics.

"If you lost, don't say you are gone, work with us to help develop the sport," he said.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]