NAIROBI, February 16 – Football Kenya Federation owes Harambee Stars head coach Bobby Williamson Sh30m ($294,672.30) salary arrears, FKF President Nick Mwendwa, revealed on Tuesday.
Mwendwa who had a meeting with his predecessor Sam Nyamweya at the Federation’s Nyayo National Stadium secretariat, also disclosed that FKF employees have not been paid their wages for the last seven months.
“The office is being owed many millions including Bobby Williamson’s Sh30m salary arrears but the outgoing President has assured me there is a guarantee from the government. FKF employees have not received their salary for the last seven months so there are many issues pending. I will not assure anything for now but we will announce our stand on Friday,” Mwendwa declared when he officially took over the office.
Talks of a new Harambee Stars technical bench has hit the headlines since Mwendwa took charge, with former tactician Adel Amrouche linked with the job.
However, Mwendwa dismissed the reports, saying the matter will be discussed when the new office hold their first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Wednesday at the FIFA Goal Project in Kasarani Stadium.
“In the next three days you will know our position after the first NEC meeting tomorrow but definitely expect a youthful Harambee Stars management.”
Williamson reportedly earns a monthly salary of Sh2.5m ($24,553.60), paid by the government after FKF under the reign of Nyamweya entered into an agreement with the State in 2013 when the team won CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.
The hand-over scheduled for Tuesday was postponed to March 4 after Nyamweya failed to present the financial documents and contracts.
“Nyamweya was not ready to hand over comprehensively as we would like because he didn’t present certain documents that we needed. He will come back when we return from Zurich to complete the process.
“We are waiting for the financial report from the outgoing office. We have already written to the bank to freeze the current bank accounts until everything is solved,” Mwendwa underscored.
Nyamweya said there is nothing to worry since Mwendwa is already in control.
“He has taken over my office and there is nothing stopping him from working. Other issues like contracts and national team equipment will be discussed in another level. I’m a proud President because I have overseen a smooth transition,” said Nyamweya.
The new office will be racing against time to comply with the Sports Act with Mwendwa assuring football stakeholders the process will start on Friday.
Mwendwa is one of the delegates that will vote at the FIFA Congress in Zurich on February 26 to elect the new President of the world governing football body.