FIFA to FKF: Stop manipulating elections - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Features

FIFA to FKF: Stop manipulating elections

FKF President, Sam Nyamweya during the launch of his election manifesto in 2011.

FKF President, Sam Nyamweya during the launch of his election manifesto in 2011.

NAIROBI, September 23- World governing body, FIFA has directed the forthcoming Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections to be compliant with the current statutes and in line with the last exercise held in 2011 to ward off possibility of rigging the outcome.

This was contained in a letter addressed to federation boss Sam Nyamweya dated Wednesday by acting Secretary General, Markus Kaittner, following proposed changes to the membership of FKF and guidelines of the polls adopted after the August 28 Annual General Meeting.

The world body is concerned changes could be abused by the incumbency led by Nyamweya who is seeking re-election as football chief to skew the polls in their favour.

“Bearing in mind that the election of the new FKF office bearers are planned for next November, we doubt that the changes can be implemented before and would also offer the possibility to anybody to accuse the current office bearers of manipulating the electorate to ensure their re-election,” FIFA said in their letter.

Among a raft of suggested alterations was to convert branches to reflect the country’s 47 geographical counties and increasing the number of voting delegates at the November 13 national exercise from 78 to 94.

The changes were adopted on September 14 by the Adhoc Committee formed after the AGM chaired by Nyamweya who is seeking a second term after the unification elections of October 28, 2011 that brought an end to parallel governing bodies.

The veteran football administrator who is increasingly playing the referee at an election he is taking part as a player, further appointed lawyer Donald Kipkorir to be the chairman of the FKF Elections Board on Wednesday.

“The changes from branches to counties can be envisaged even though it would be important to access the effect on the balance of different stakeholders represented in the General Meeting.

“As you might remember, the subject was discussed at length during the revision process and any change has to be evaluated very carefully. In addition, the proposed changes would imply to merge and organise the new entities to ensure the legitimacy and proper representation of the delegates,” Kaittner letter read in part.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“Under these circumstances, we deem that the amendments of FKF should be postponed until after the elections. The new elected leadership will then take charge of the process in close collaboration with FIFA and CAF.

“As such, the composition of the general assembly convened for the upcoming elections should be compliant with the current statutes and in line with the last general assemblies held by FKF,” the world body added.

Besides pushing through the amendments during the AGM, Nyamweya has bulldozed through an electoral code that has sought to bar those who are not in his stable from running for office besides playing a huge role in the constitution of both the electoral body and appeals committee.

In a memo, FKF CEO, Michael Esakwa acknowledged receipt of FIFA’s directions saying they will abide by them.

“Just received my letter appointing me the Chairman of Football KENYA Federation Elections Board! Kenya will get the Football Officials they want,” the outspoken lawyer Kiprkorir posted on his Facebook page with a picture of the appointment letter by the president.

Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2024 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved