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Ex-MYSA Director Peter Karanja eyes FKF presidency

By Cecil Odongo February 14th, 2024 2 min read

Football Kenya Federation’s top seat continues to attract candidates ahead of the forthcoming polls, with former Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) Director Peter Karanja the latest to join the queue.

Karanja on February 14, 2024, announced his bid for the FKF Presidency set for October 2024.

He brimmed with confidence in his capability to salvage what he described as the dwindling standards of football in the country

“For this to happen, FKF is in dire need to win back trust from football stakeholders including those in the public and private sector. Furthermore, FKF needs a member-centric approach, proactive and competent personnel at the top,” he said in a statement

Karanja has vast experience in football management and sustainable development having led in implementation of various football programmes.

“I consider having what it takes to bring stability and prosperity to Kenyan football if elected,” he stressed.

He’s also vowed to ensure Kenyan Premier League clubs manage themselves and revert to a 16-team competition. The league currently comprises 18 teams.

Karanja has also promised to hand over the management of the National Super League (NSL) to clubs and the competition changed to a zonal format of 18 clubs per zone.

The Women’s Premier League will be run by clubs which will also own the broadcasting rights.

The candidate is also keen to build the capacity of coaches, referees, medical personnel, and all other officials involved in the game.

He has also promised to empower branches so that they can professionally manage their leagues as well as allocate them more funds.

The official says he will give priority to enhancing talent growth by empowering the academies to be a feeder to both Harambee Stars and Harambee Starlets as Kenya embarks on a journey to get back to continental glory.

Besides Karanja, Extreme Sports Chief Executive Hussein Mohamed, Bandari FC Vice Chairman Twaha Mbarak, former Gor Mahia Chief Executive Omondi Aduda, and his predecessor Sam Ochola have declared interest in replacing Nick Mwendwa, who’s occupied the FKF president position for the past eight years.

Other interested candidates are Mwendwa’s predecessor Sam Nyamweya, plus former footballers Dennis Oliech, Macdonald Mariga, Harold Ndege and Samuel Kempes Owino.

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