Athletics Kenya Central Rift chairman Abraham Mutai has dismissed claims that he has been suspended from office, saying no formal communication has been served to him by the athletics governing body.

Mutai spoke on Monday after reports emerged that a section of officials, including the regional secretary and two other officials, had visited the regional office on Friday and allegedly claimed that he had been suspended as chairman.

He said he remains the duly elected chairman of the Central Rift region and described the incident as a sideshow intended to divert attention from the region's athletics programmes.

“To date, no formal communication has been served to me to show that I have been suspended,” Mutai said.

He maintained that any attempt to suspend an elected official must follow the procedures provided for under the Athletics Kenya constitution and other applicable regulations.

Mutai said the matter would be investigated and that disciplinary action could follow against those found to have breached the organisation's procedures.

The chairman said Central Rift was instead focused on preparing athletes and officials for a busy international athletics calendar, including the 2027 World Championships in Beijing, the 2028 Olympic Games and the 2029 World Championships scheduled for Nairobi.

He also called for unity and professionalism within the athletics fraternity, warning that internal disagreements should not distract the region from its responsibilities.

“Central Rift is an athletics powerhouse and the sport is currently on matters of far greater consequences demanding collective attention,” he said.

Mutai further said Athletics Kenya was undertaking constitutional reforms and that athletes and other stakeholders should be given meaningful opportunities to participate in shaping the future governance of the sport.

He said the reforms should promote greater representation, transparency, accountability and participation in decisions affecting athletes' careers.

The chairman added that Central Rift had already prepared its programmes and events ahead of the new athletics calendar, with December expected to be a busy period as the region prepares for holiday training camps.

Meanwhile, Central Rift vice-chairman Barnaba Kitilit backed Mutai and said he was not informed about the meeting reportedly convened to discuss the chairman's suspension.

Kitilit, who is also the Baringo chairman, said he only learnt about the meeting after it had started.

He defended Mutai's record in the region and said the leadership should concentrate on developing athletics rather than engaging in internal disputes.

Kitilit also called for an amended Athletics Kenya constitution that would address concerns raised by athletes, legends and other stakeholders, particularly on representation at county and regional levels.

He said Central Rift needed to focus on developing local competitions, training camps and sponsorship opportunities to improve the welfare and performance of athletes.

Kitilit cited the region's recent performances at national competitions, particularly athletes from Baringo, as evidence of the need to invest more in grassroots development.

The two officials said they would continue working on programmes aimed at strengthening Central Rift athletics while awaiting the outcome of the ongoing constitutional reform process.

Mutai maintained that if there are legitimate concerns about his leadership, the appropriate process should be followed through the constitution and, ultimately, elections.

“As it stands now, we are here as an office. I am the chairman of Central Rift duly elected and serving in accordance with the constitution,” he said.