Kenya Fencing Federation suspends Alexandra Ndolo over misconduct claims
This follows a formal complaint filed by Ndolo on February 26, in which she raised serious concerns about the Federation's financial transparency and operational procedures.
The Kenya Fencing Federation has suspended German-born Kenyan fencer Alexandra Ndolo from participating in national, regional, continental and international championships, effective immediately.
This follows a formal complaint filed by Ndolo on February 26, in which she raised serious concerns about the Federation's financial transparency and operational procedures.
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In the letter seen by The Eastleigh Voice, Ndolo questioned whether subsidies and prize money due to her for various international competitions, including the African and World Championships, had ever been received, and if so, where the funds were directed.
She also challenged a statement made by the Federation's Secretary General, Stephen Okalo, claiming she had been paid allowances for past events.
Ndolo requested proof of the alleged payments, including the specific account they were made, asserting that she has consistently had to cover her own costs, including those of her coach and physiotherapist.
Further, she expressed concern over a recent demand that she finance her future competitions herself as a condition for receiving her 2024/25 competition license, labelling it an attempted form of blackmail, especially in light of the federation's apparent ability to fund a large delegation to the African Youth Championships.
She also warned that without a satisfactory response within the next few business days, she would escalate the matter to both Kenyan authorities and the media.
Ndolo similarly filed a complaint on the same at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
"The Commission is in receipt of a complaint from Alexandra Ndolo alleging that she was nominated to represent Kenya in the Fencing Competition Championship that was held in Casablanca, Morocco in June 2024, but the Federation did not facilitate her," said EACC in a past statement.
"The complainant alleged that she had to sponsor herself, her coach and a physiotherapist at a cost of Sh270,000, money that has never been refunded despite making numerous follow-ups. Allegedly, the Federation received funding from the sports fund and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports to facilitate participants in the African Championship in 2024."
Her suspension was announced by the Federation's Chair, Okalo.
"Regarding the aforementioned inquiries, the Kenya Fencing Federation has found you in violation of several policies, including the Protection Policy, Social Media Policy and Resident Policy. The executive committee has determined that you have engaged in misconduct towards the federation which you also did last year 2024 and the same executive and the board informed you not go to the excesses of violating the policies, as a result, we have suspended all your activities with the Kenya Fencing Federation including National, regional, continental and international championships, effective immediately.
"To address your questions and allegations, we require you to provide concrete evidence and details to substantiate your claims. This includes documentation, account details and any relevant correspondence that supports your statements."
In a statement on Facebook following her suspension, Ndolo expressed deep frustration with the lack of accountability in Kenya's sports federations, lamenting that despite her efforts over three years, no governing body seemed willing to take responsibility for oversight.
"It seems that no institution in Kenya is or feels responsible for keeping sports federations in check, because in my three-year quest for answers and a checks and balances structure, I could find none. This is a bad sign, not just for me, but for Kenyan athletes in general across sports, to currently competing athletes or those considering to join," she said.
She also went as far as to discourage diasporan athletes from returning to compete for Kenya.
"At this moment, I could not in good conscience recommend any athlete of Kenyan descent to join the team. Diasporans, do not come back home. What else remains to be said or done?"
However, Ndolo reaffirmed her commitment to continue training and competing for Team Kenya and to grow fencing in Kenya in honour of her late father.
"I wanted to use my talents to bring the sport I love so much back home. To widely introduce and lastingly establish it in my late father's homeland," she said.
"The first step is done. Kenyans know fencing. The second step will be possible once people with the power to do so take an invested look and will take action, because I can not accomplish this by myself. No more empty phrases, action. Now."
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