Six Kenyan Deaf Athletes Petition High Court Over 2025 Deaflympics Exclusion
Sports Updated: 24 December 2025 17:04 EAT
Six Kenyan athletes with disabilities have moved to the High Court after being dropped from the national team selected for the 2025 Summer Deaflympics. The athletes argue that their exclusion was irregular and violated their constitutional rights, citing a lack of transparency and fairness in the final selection process.
In their petition, the athletes state that they were removed from the squad without clear communication or written reasons from the responsible sports authorities. They contend that they had met the required performance standards and participated fully in preparations, only to be excluded at a late stage without due process.
The dispute follows a broader decision by sports officials to significantly reduce Kenya’s Deaflympics contingent, reportedly due to budgetary constraints. As a result, several teams and athletes across different disciplines were dropped, triggering criticism from athletes and disability sports advocates who questioned how the cuts were implemented.
The petitioners argue that the manner in which the selections were revised amounted to discrimination against athletes with disabilities and undermined the principles of equal opportunity in national representation. They are seeking court intervention to review the selection process and compel authorities to account for the decisions made.
The case has renewed debate on the management and funding of disability sports in Kenya, with stakeholders calling for clearer guidelines, accountability and athlete-centered decision-making. The High Court’s determination is expected to have wider implications for future team selections and the protection of athletes’ rights in disability sport.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD