- Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) held a farewell dinner for its first-ever members.
- Their term officially ends mid this month after 11 years in office.
- The team was led by Senior Counsel Hon. John Ohaga and Hon. Elynah Shiveka.
- SDT handled sports disputes and doping-related cases since 2014.
- Only two members remain as recruitment for new officials continues.
The Sports Disputes Tribunal hosted a special dinner to honour its original members whose term is ending this May. The farewell event brought together court users and sports stakeholders to reflect on a journey that began in 2014. The SDT was formed through the Sports Act of 2013, with Senior Counsel Hon. John Morris Ohaga as the Chair and Hon. Elynah Shiveka as Deputy Chair.
Tribunal’s 11-Year Service to Kenyan Sports
For more than a decade, the nine-member team worked on major cases involving sports federations and athletes who felt unfairly left out of competitions. In 2016, the SDT took on an additional role through the Anti-Doping Act, helping in the fight against doping in Kenyan sports.
Key Members Exit as Terms Come to a Close
The Chairperson, Hon. John Ohaga, stepped down last November. Since then, Hon. Njeri Onyango has been acting as Chair. Other outgoing members include Hon. Gichuru Kiplagat, Hon. Gabriel Ouko, Hon. Peter Ochieng, and Hon. Mary Gichuru. Two others—GMT Otieno and Robert Asembo—had earlier left after serving a single term.
Praises for High Standards and Integrity
During the event, various court users thanked the outgoing team for their discipline, honesty, and for shaping Kenya’s sports justice system. Hon. Ohaga, Hon. Njeri Onyango, Hon. Elynah Shiveka, Hon. Gichuru Kiplagat, and Hon. Peter Ochieng took time to reflect on their work, which they say was driven by fairness and national interest.
CEO Dr. Leah Kaburu: “Job Well Done”
The Secretary and CEO of the Tribunal, Dr. Leah Kaburu, gave special thanks to the outgoing members. She applauded their commitment, saying their legacy will be remembered for setting solid foundations for sports-related legal processes.
Only Two Members Left as New Recruitment Begins
With most members exiting, only two individuals remain in service. One of them is Hon. Bernard Murunga, who now carries the weight of ensuring continuity as the government recruits a new Chairperson and five other Tribunal members.
