Kenyan football stakeholders are concerned that Kenya could mess its preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations if the leadership stalemate at FKF does not end soon.
Kenyan football stakeholders have warned that the country could mess its preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations if the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections do not happen in time.
There has been a standoff within the FKF leadership following a court order that halted a planned Annual General Meeting (AGM) in March which was to lay a roadmap for fresh elections.
With no timelines given on the next course of action, there are fears that FKF could get into a constitutional crisis while also allowing other parties to file more cases in court.
Already, FIFA has warned the country that it risks a ban if the standoff is not solved, or more football issues are sorted in the courts, and the stakeholders, led by FKF presidential hopeful Hussein Mohammed, are keen to avoid such as they feel it would throw Kenya’s AFCON 2027 preparations into jeopardy.
“It is imperative to note that the terms of office of elected delegates at branch level comes to an end on the 18th of September 2024. With every passing day, the possibility of holding a free, fair and credible elections gets slimmer,” the stakeholders said through a joint statement read by Mohammed.
“A constitutional crisis looms should we fail to hit the critical milestones set in the FKF constitution on matters governance and electioneering process. Simply put, there will be no delegates to participate in any elections come 18th of September this year.
“The failure to hold an AGM and provide a clear and honest roadmap for the upcoming elections is a threat to our AFCON 2027 host status. These elections are not just a procedural requirement; they are the foundation upon which our preparations for AFCON 2027 will stand.
“Without a newly-elected and functioning FKF office, our dreams of hosting this prestigious tournament will crumble. In a recent communique from FIFA dated 26th March, 2024, the FKF was formally warned about a possible suspension by the world governing body following the shenanigans that continue to bedevil the Kenyan federation.”
The stakeholders have accused the Nick Mwendwa-led federation of creating a hostile environment by using intimidation and coercion against those who do not agree with them and believe only fresh elections will bring everything to a stop.
“We are here today to raise a red flag. We urge all stakeholders, and this includes the delegates, clubs, government of Kenya, FIFA and CAF to take decisive action now and make sure the country is not held at ransom by a few rogue individuals who are hell bent on destroying the future of millions of youth,” the statement further read.
The stakeholders comprised Mohammed, FKF NEC members for Eastern Mureithi Nabea, his Nyamira counterpart Luthers Mokua, Murang’a Seal chairman Robert Macharia, former Harambee Stars players Dennis Oliech, John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla, Harold Ndege, James Situma and Kenya Football Referees Association GMT Otieno among others.
The calls come one week after the stakeholders had a meeting, organised by National Olympics Committee of Kenya president Paul Tergat, that sought to bring the warring parties together while searching for a solution to a standoff.
Current FKF officials boycotted the meeting which called for the installation of a normalisation committee to take care of football matters in the country until fresh elections are held.
