Kenya Aquatics Federation now awaits the lifting of the suspension by the world body following the conclusion of the elections on Saturday at Kasaarni over the weekend.

Newly elected vice chairman Stanley Kaberu said with the conclusion of the elections, the sport now has its owners and will await for World Aquatics to lift the suspension to allow swimmers to engage in international events later in the year.

“It's been tough for our swimmers but finally we have light at the end of the tunnel. We have the team in the office and now it's time to work and set up structures for the sport," added Kaberu.

The General Assembly on Saturday was attended by World Aquatics' first vice president Sam Ramsamy of South Africa as well as Stabilisation Committee members Jaice Naidoo of South Africa, Uganda's Moses Mwose and Francis Mutuku. 

Ramsamy read the riot act to the petitioners and said it was time for the sport to have new leadership and ensure the interests of swimmers are protected.

“I believe the petitioners can go on with the court case. It's their right but the new team needs to take charge to ensure the swimmers can compete regionally, continentally, and on the global stage. We have wasted a lot of time with the bickering in the sport," he added 

The new team who were all elected unopposed will be led by President Maureen Owiti,  Kaberu (first vice president), Hillary Seri (second vice president), and Collins Marigiri (secretary general).

Grace Kingori will be the assistant secretary as Liz Fatima takes the treasurer's docket. She will be assisted by Doris Njue with Omar Omari and Heize Kahindo as committee members

The elections were due to be held in July but were called off at the 11th hour after intimidation of the election observers from the Centre of Corporate Governance.

The petitioners had wanted universal suffrage to be used for elections while the majority of the swimming fraternity preferred a delegates system.

Sports Cabinet secretary Ababu Namwamba had a month ago pleaded with the stakeholders to work with speed and conduct the elections to avoid Kenya being banned from the sport.

Nairobi County Association chairman Teddy Wampum welcomed the new development, which has put an end to seven years of wrangling.