NAIROBI, Kenya (AFP) — Isaiah Kiplagat confirmed yesterday he is stepping down as Athletics Kenya (AK) boss to concentrate on his campaign to be elected a vice-president of world governing body IAAF.

Kiplagat, who has served as AK chairman for the past 22 years, and also sits on the IAAF governing council, is bidding for a vice-presidency post in a vote at the IAAF Congress ahead of the World Championships in Beijing in August.

“I have served in my capacity as Athletics Kenya chairman for many years. I think it is the right time for me to step aside for a new person to take over the leadership,” Kiplagat told reporters.

“I am taking leave as of May 1, and I have as a result appointed my deputy Jackson Tuwei as the new AK chairman and Paul Mutwii as his deputy.

“I am hopeful that I will be elected as one of IAAF vice-presidents in the incoming office, led by Britain’s Sebastian Coe, who is also on the campaign trail to succeed Lamine Diack who is retiring,” said Kiplagat.

Former middle-distance star Coe and Ukrainian pole vault legend Sergei Bubka are the only candidates so far to succeed Diack, 81, who has been president since 1999.