Athletics Kenya Nairobi region chairman, Barnaba Korir has officially stated that he will take legal action on social media bloggers who are after tarnishing his name and character.
Speaking yesterday evening on Athletics TV, the only show in Africa that handles matters Athletics, Korir said it is high time individuals take responsibility on what they say and write on various social media pages.
“A lot have been said about me that I have rubbing aside, but when it comes to my family, that is personal and I won’t let any individual touch any of my loved ones,” said Korir.
In recent times there has been a lot of character assassinations on social media targeted towards Korir, some of the top elite athletes like Faith Kipyegon and the former world marathon record holder, Eliud Kipchoge, which has affected them in their personal lives, family and their performances.
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“When you see, someone like Eliud Kipchoge, who has done a lot for this country, marketed it in the entire world, brought records, gold medals and contributed to the economy of this great nation, being attacked by someone who only owns a mobile phone is really disheartening and action must now be taken upon such characters,” Korir added.
A few of the social media bloggers have been apprehended by law enforcers and some currently have court cases and now asking for leniency, which the affected individuals have decided that the law must take its course.
“When you were telling lies about an individual, maligning his family and causing psychological torture to an athlete or any other person without knowing even the individual, action must be taken against you and we will follow you whenever you are until the law catches with you,” he said.
Korir who is also the Athletics Kenya Youth and Development director was more emotional when he was narrating about the situation that the bloggers made Kipchoge to go through that might have also affected his preparations towards the Paris Olympics.
“We are all human beings and talking on an individual and directing anger towards him and his family on something that he did not participate in is another level of hatred that I have never seen in my life time,” said Korir with anger from the look on his face.
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Korir who is also the Race director of Sirikwa Classic Cross Country, the World Cross-Country continental Gold Tour series, said that they are anticipating an even more exciting competition, better than the previous one and delighted to confirm the participation of top foreign athletes alongside our celebrated elite and emerging local talent,” he concluded
Athletics TV is an online edition that airs every Thursday night from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. The next guest on the show on 20/02/2025 will be the three time World 1500m champion, Asbel Kiprop.
