Newly elected FKF president Nick Mwendwa giving his acceptance speech after winning the national elections on Tuesday, February10, 2016. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, February 10 – It’s a new dawn for Kenyan football after Kariobangi Sharks chairman Nick Mwendwa was elected the new Football Kenya Federation President for a four year term.
This follows national elections conducted by the Institute for Education in Democracy (IED) at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium during FKF’s Special General Meeting (SGM) on Wednesday.
Mwendwa, 37 years-old succeeds Sam Nyamweya who pulled out of the race an hour to the ballot.
The Information Technology specialist won with a landslide after garnering 50 votes against the only challenger, KPL and Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier who received 27 votes.
“I have told you guys on numerous occasions that we will win these elections. Today we have won and we have showed Kenyans that if you are determined do to something it can be done.”
“Kenyans should expect a reality of all the things we promised as Team Change. We have many things to do but first will be to ensure Harambee Stars win the 2017 AFCON away match in Guinea Bissau, “ an ecstatic Mwendwa stated.
Rachier who was trying his luck for the second time conceded defeat.
“It was a very transparent way of conducting elections. I commend the Electoral Board and the IED for a job well done.”
“At the background there was a lot of exchange of money… most people voted with their stomach but not conscience,” Rachier underscored.
The vice presidency seat was forced to a run-off after the top candidate Doris Petra failed to gather the 50+1 votes.
Petra who was the Rift Valley NEC member got 36 votes in the first round ahead of Andrew Amukoa who collected 21, former international Dr Dan Shikanda garnered 13 while incumbent Robert Asembo received no vote.
Petra who was in Mwedwa’s Team Change camp, won with a huge margin in the re-run accumulating 53 votes against Shikanda who got one.
In the National Executive Committee (NEC) seats, Nakuru Town East MP, David Gikaria floored Ulinzi Stars officer in charge, Joe Birgen to clinch the Rift Valley post after collecting 42 votes against 23.
Ligi Ndogo FC chairman, Chris Amimo beat former international Eric Obura to scoop the Nairobi NEC position with 31 votes against 10.
In Coast, the winner was Raphael Mwalungu while Nabea Muriithi overcame incumbent Angeline Mwikali to be elected Eastern NEC member.
Charles Birundu clinched the Nyanza seat, Mohammed Mula grabbed North Eastern, and Tony Kweya was elected in Western whilst David Njoroge will be the new Central NEC member.
The first assignment for the newly elected office will be to ensure Kenya hosts a successful Africa Nations Championship in 2018, the biggest football tournament the country will undertake.
A delegation from FIFA led by former CECAFA president Leodagar Tenga, the world governing body Head of Association Primo Carvaro and FIFA Southern and Eastern Region development officer Ashford Mamelodi observed the polls that finally took place after being postponed three times.
At the SGM, the delegates agreed to transit the federation into the Sports Acts as required by the law.
However, the newly elected officials will have a meeting with FIFA under the watch of Carvaro to align the FKF constitution with FIFA statutes and regulations.
The delegates are drawn from 16 KPL clubs, six FKF-PL clubs, six National Super League clubs, six Division One clubs, two members each from 20 branches as well as a representative from coaches, players and referee welfare associations.
