The Chess Kenya Federation – a new start

The Chess Kenya Federation (CKF) was formally inaugurated by members in a historic SGM held on 28th November 2021 at the Pride Inn Azure Hotel, Nairobi.
The well attended SGM saw members approve a vastly improved version of the constitution which aligns with the Sports Act No 25 of 2013.
The well attended SGM saw approximately 80 members gather on the 11th floor for this historic day.
Benard Wanjala, the President of Chess Kenya, did an excellent job of taking the members through the various provisions of the constitution.
The significant changes are summarised below;
In the future, the National Election Board will organise the elections for the federation.
Persons intending to contest the election will now have to pay a fee, ranging from KES 30,000 for the President’s post to KES 15,000 for a lesser position.
Applicants will have to provide a range of documents from the Tax Compliance Certificate from the KRA, clearance certificates from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI),  and the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB). Other essential documents include clearance from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Elections for office bearers will now operate on a ticket system rather than the individual system. In other words, aspirants will have to organise their entire team to vie for the elections. Sole candidatures will not be allowed.
Voting at the AGM and SGM will be limited to the following;
Branches – 2 delegates per branch.
Clubs participating in the Kenya National Chess League (top division) will have two delegates.
Clubs participating in the Kenya National Chess League (2nd division) will have one delegate.
Elected members of the Executive Committee will have one vote each.
Persons living with disabilities will have two delegates with voting rights.
Elected members of the Executive Committee will have one vote each.
Article 10 of the old constitution described the Kenyan team’s selection method, a three-stage process.
The first phase was the Kenya National Championship. The second phase had the top 24 players before the third and final phase with ten players.
The proposed constitution finally removed this particularly cumbersome clause.
The committee proposed replacing this with a new system using the FIDE rating, Grand Prix events and the Kenya National Championship. It would have been a welcome change, but the proposal was put on hold for the time being due to a lack of unanimity.
Attendees later enjoyed a buffet meal at the end of the SGM, courtesy of the federation.
Endless quarrels have in the past three decades marred past Annual General Meetings and Special General Meetings.
I am sharing a sample of some of my cartoons about past meetings here for you.


I believe that the new constitution of the Kenya Chess Federation will usher in a period of calm and hopefully increase government support in the future.
Chess Kenya meeting 23rd December 2012.
Update on Chess Kenya meeting dated 5th April 2012.
Cartoon on Chess Kenya wrangles.

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