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
KIAMBU, December 15- Eight football clubs officials in Kiambu County are in court seeking orders restraining Football Kenya Federation and its Electoral Board from conducting the region’s rescheduled sub-branch elections on Thursday.
The petitioners want the High Court to stop the intended exercise over a disputed list of ineligible clubs and delegates.
Consequently, the petitioners want the FKF electoral board to involve the petitioners and other stakeholders from Kiambu Sub- Branch in compiling a valid list of clubs and delegates.
They have claimed that prior to and after the botched elections, the petitioners’ aspirants and delegates alike had continuously written to and approached the Board regarding issues with the lists of clubs.
They argue delegates of not more than ten clubs had been included in the electoral boards list yet they did not meet the requisite threshold.
There were also complaints regarding fake delegates believed to be hired and fixed voters listed as delegates for the fake clubs as well as ghost delegates listed in other bonafide clubs.
This is the latest attempt to halt an exercise that has been mired in controversy with claims and counterclaims of manipulation of clubs and delegates lists among the six candidates seeking the FKF presidency including incumbent Sam Nyamweya.
Last Tuesday, the Donald Kipkorir-led Board announced results from 41 of the 62 sub-branches following the December 4 exercise saying the rest would return to the ballot on Thursday save for those where candidates were running unopposed.
Besides Kiambu, elections did not take place in Baringo, Butere/Mumias, Dagoreti, Isiolo, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisumu, Kuria, Machakos, Makadara, Meru Central, Migori, Mombasa, Moyale, Nakuru, Nandi North,Tana River, Transmara, Transnzoia West, Vihiga and West Pokot.
On the eve of the sub-branch elections, the federation wrote to Kipkorir asking for the exercise to be suspended but it pressed on as planned.
The sub-branch elections carry high stakes to the presidential candidates since those voted to office will then proceed to vote in the December 17 branch elections that will produce the bulk of the 78 who will elect the new FKF leader.
Nyamweya; who is under pressure for lack of progress in his first four tenure in addition to corruption and mismanagement allegations, is being challenged by Ambrose Rachier, Sam Shollei, Gor Semelang’o, Nick Mwendwa and Ssemi Aina.
