Institute of Election Democracy staffer, Ken Njagi, counts ballots during the FKF sub-branch elections earlier this month. Officials affiliated to Kiambu Sub-Branch clubs have moved to court seeking to block the December 17, 2015 repeat exercise. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, February 5 – Football Kenya Federation national elections may not take place on Tuesday next week as scheduled after Electoral Board treasurer David Mereka tendered his notice to resign.
In his notice, Mareka cited lack of integrity from chairman, Donald Kipkorir whom he accused of interfering with the recently held branch polls, where he introduced the tossing of a coin to decide ties after vote count.
The outgoing treasurer stated that the board is in financial crisis and there for cannot conduct the national elections to vote new office bearers.
“I hereby give notice that I intend to step down as the treasure and member of the DFKF Electoral Board since my conscience can’t allow me to continue serving.
“The Board has been running headless because of your (Chairman) inability to lead, make decisions or delay in doing so, taking long sojourns well knowing that you have failed to appoint a vice chair, your allergy to the official press leading to all and sundry to depend on alternative press,” Mareka underscored.
“There has been no preparation for the national elections due on Tuesday including giving preliminary advice to IED on budget, venue, security, delegates, accreditations, observers and fact that you do not work or communicate on Friday and the weekend leads to a shutdown of the electoral process,” he added.
Mereka will seat at Saturday’s Appeals Committee to hear two cases from Nyanza South and Nyanza West before announcing his date of resignation.
“There has been interference with the election process under your headless leadership which has led to stalemate branch elections which in some branches where there is a tie, you are insisting on tossing of a coin.
“I have also had embarrassing moments in court where sub branch certificates were given to officials without elections having been conducted,” Mereka underscored.
The national elections has been postponed three times and it’s yet to be seen if the exercise will kick-off despite Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Arts and Culture Dr. Hassan Wario assured there will be no further rescheduling.
Incumbent Sam Nyamweya who is seeking re-election will battle it out with Gor Mahia and Kenyan Premier League chairman, Ambrose Rachier, former international Sammy Shollei, business man Gor Semelang’o, FKF-PL chairman, Nick Mwendwa and Semi Aina.
