AK's first vice chairman Alf Kimani said today that Kiplagat's decision and that of the rest of the executive board wasbased on the perfect record registered by the sport's governing body and the wishes of its registered members and affiliate bodies.

"It will be naive for Athletics Kenya to have done the very best for athletics in this country at this particular time then expect them to wave goodbye and just go away," said Kimani.

Kiplagat had previously been on record as saying he will not seek another term. "We have done a good job and it is only fair that we have a chance to seek fresh mandate." Kimani told a news conference in Nairobi.

Asked why Kiplagat had decided to seek re-election even after he stated at the last annual general meeting that he would stand down as athletics chairman, Kimani said appeals from AK members had prevailed upon him and the board to rescind that decision.

"We did confirm with other members of the executive and the affiliate bodies about their position on the matter and that they agreed that the current board should seek fresh mandate," said Kimani.

Kimani further stated that the board is not imposing itself adding that any member who wishes to stand for any of the elective positions is free to do so as enshrined in the organization's constitution.

Other candidates who have expressed interest in the top seat include former athlete Moses Kiptanui and AK Southern branch chairman Paul Mutui. Treasurer Joseph Kinyua said that he will be seeking a final term as overseer of AK coffers.