DOHA, Qatar, Nov 28 – World football governing body FIFA has lifted Kenya’s suspension from international football effective immediately, a letter from Secretary General Fatma Samoura on Monday stated.
Kenya has been on suspension since February this year due to government interference, but after new Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba fulfilled the conditions set by FIFA and met with the body’s top hierarchy here in Doha, where further discussions happened.
“We would like to inform you that the situation of the FF was submitted to the Bureau of the FIFA Council (hereinafter: the Bureau) for consideration and decision on 25 November 2022,” a letter from Samoura read.
It added; “On this occasion, the Bureau was informed of the official letter dated 4 November 2022 from the FF General Secretary Barry Otieno to FIFA, confirming that the Kenyan government as represented by the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Sports, the Hon. Ababu Namwamba, had reinstated the FF Executive Committee with immediate effect.”
“The Bureau also noted that the FF General Secretary further asserted that the FKF offices had been handed back to the association’s elected leadership.”
“In view of these circumstances, the Bureau of the Council decided on 25 November 2022 to lift the suspension of the FF with immediate effect.”
Samoura’s letter has further stated that a FIFA-CAF mission will be deployed to Nairobi in order to define the next steps for the Federation and to also meet with the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Sports.
The journey towards the lifting of the suspension started when new CS Ababu met with football stakeholders and made the decision to respect FIFA’s stance and reinstate the Federation, minus the president Nick Mwendwa until his corruption case in court is heard and determined.
Kenya sunk into FIFA suspension after former CS Amina Mohamed disbanded the Federation over alleged misappropriation of funds.
FIFA viewed this as government interference and despite letters from the world governing body warning of consequences, nothing was changed