Fred Kamau Chege, current president of the Kenya Fencing Federation, has been elected treasurer of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC‑K), solidifying a wide leadership reshuffle that positions him at the financial helm of the organisation.
Chege clinched the role after member federations cast their votes during a Nairobi assembly on July 21, 2025, signaling confidence in his fiscal management credentials and vision for Kenya’s sports funding strategy.
Almost simultaneously, Nick Karugu, former head of Softball Kenya, secured a narrow victory over former rugby star Innocent “Namnyak” Kayange to become NOC‑K Deputy Secretary‑General. Karugu won by a single vote, 14 to 13, during the same electoral process held at Ole Sereni hotel.
This dual triumph highlights a shift toward inclusive leadership that brings both fencing and softball perspectives into top-tier sports administration, reinforcing efforts to broaden representation.
Chege takes over treasury duties at a pivotal moment when NOC‑K seeks to enhance transparency in budgeting ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics and other major competitions. His experience in steering the fencing federation credited with improved accountability and resource mobilization positions him as a stabilising force in financial affairs.
Meanwhile, Karugu’s slim-margin win underscores his administrative popularity despite contest, and he brings a unique angle as the first softball boss to occupy such a high NOC‑K office, signaling greater recognition for non-mainstream sports.
Stakeholders see both appointments as strategic, with Chege expected to implement stronger budget controls, diversify funding, and streamline financial processes. Karugu meanwhile is tasked with operational coordination, athlete support, and oversight critical responsibilities that will benefit from his grassroots understanding of team sports dynamics.
Collectively, their entrances dovetail with the sweeping “New Dawn Fresh” agenda, under which multiple leadership roles at NOC‑K have been reformed to enhance athlete-centred management and governance reforms.
With Chege managing NOC-K’s purse and Karugu shaping its operations, Kenya’s Olympic body is signaling a new era of structured leadership aimed at transparency, fiscal discipline, and inclusivity. As preparations ramp up for upcoming international sporting events, their combined roles may redefine how Kenya funds, organises, and supports its athletes on the world stage.
Written By Ian Maleve
