The hearing on polls for the National Olympic Committee of Kenya has been set for July 2 at the High Court in Eldoret.
Justice Reuben Nyakundi on Monday directed parties to file responses to applications within three days.
Swiftly filing submissions will enable the court to consolidate the cases, so they can be heard and a quick decision reached.
The court is to hear a constitutional petition filed by Joycelene Nyambura, Francis Paul, Andrew Mudibo and the Kenya Table Tennis Association.
They sued the IEBC, which was to conduct the polls, Nock and the sports registrar, among six respondents, arguing the federation was improperly constituted.
“We have consolidated the issues and I direct you to file the responses and submissions, then we meet on July 2,” the judge directed.
He then will hear preliminary submissions from both parties, petitioners and challengers, and begin a full hearing on the same day.
Lawyers Julia Kiget and William Arusei were physically in court, representing Nock, while lawyers for other parties appeared virtually.
The Nock polls were thrown into disarray last week after Nyakundi halted the election, deepening the federation’s leadership crisis.
The elections had been scheduled for April but they were postponed due to delegate disputes involving four federations.
Justice Nyakundi issued a temporary injunction suspending the polls pending the outcome of a constitutional petition challenging the eligibility of particular candidates.
The legal tussle stems from a Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) ruling that two weeks ago disqualified Kenya Table Tennis Federation (KTTF) president Andrew Mudibo from contesting the secretary general’s post. His challengers had said his federation is not properly registered under the Sports Act, 2013.
“In the alternative, pending hearing and determination of the application, a temporary injunction be issued suspending the Nock Executive Committee Election scheduled to take place on June 19,” the court order read.
Nyambura, Mudibo and two others filed suit in the High Court to challenge the SDT ruling, thus securing the injunction against holding the elections.
Mudibo later said court action was the only recourse to address injustices in the electoral process.
The Nock elections are a two-horse race, pitting first vice president Shadrack Maluki and his New Dawn team against secretary general Francis Mutuku.
Mudibo alleged bias within the SDT, accusing the tribunal of favouring federations aligned with the Mutuku-led team.
“The New Dawn team expresses grave concern over the sports tribunal decisions between June 10 and 18. These rulings reveal a troubling pattern of legal bias, procedural manipulation and undue suppression,” Mudibo said.
“There’s manifest bias against New Dawn-affiliated federations, while shielding those aligned with entrenched Nock figures.”
Mudibo said his camp would escalate the issue.
“We are seeking an audience with the Chief Justice and the Secretary of Tribunals. We must protect the integrity of sports governance,” he said.
Mutuku expressed frustration over the latest development.
“We were ready for the elections, but unfortunately, we received a court order that left us with no room to proceed,” Mutuku said.
