Nairobi News

Football Kenya Federation is set to hold its elections in February 2024.

In the lead up to the election, aspirants for various posts have been going for each other’s jugular, and the most attacked is the current FKF embattled president Nick Mwendwa.

In the latest war of words, Mr Hussein Mohammed, an official with Muranga Seals and the Chief Executive of Extreme Sports who is also said to be eyeing Mwendwa’s seat,  accused the youthful football boss of intimidation and discrimination including being banned from attending a Homa Bay football event, only to be ‘saved’ by Governor Gladys Wanga and her County officials.

“On the 31st of December 2023, while making my way to attend the Genowa Cup finals in Homa Bay County, I received a call from a gentleman who introduced himself as an official of FKF Homa Bay Branch. He informed me that I was not allowed to attend the games as they had received instructions from FKF head office in Nairobi to block my entry to the Raila Odinga Stadium. I was however received and ushered into the facility by county government officials as I was the Governor’s guest. A tense and volatile stand-off ensued as the FKF branch officials refused to proceed with the games and immediately withdrew referees as they demanded that I leave the stadium. The host county officials and the Governor were baffled by the reaction of the FKF officials as their protestations had no merit nor logic. The intervention of the Governor, her team and local law enforcement authorities ensured that my constitutional rights were protected and I am truly grateful to them for standing their ground against tyranny and impunity,” explained Mr Mohammed.

He claimed this has not been the only intimidation he has faced from FKF, having weathered past incidents in 2015 and 2018 as well.

“In 2018, Extreme Sports was contracted by a local gaming company to manage the Ronaldinho Kenya tour but yet again, threats and sanctions were directed towards the sponsors, clubs and officials of teams participating in the scheduled events,” revealed Mr Mohammed.

Mr Mohammed categorically told off the Nairobi officials for their ‘malicious’ actions that interfered with his civil and fundamental constitutional rights; and threatened them with legal filings.

“I’m here addressing you today because this behavior has now become dangerously unsettling and requires immediate and deliberate intervention if we are to restore sanity back into this critical sector. I am here to stand up against all forms of discrimination, intimidation and impunity in the sports sector.

I have a message to the few crooks who think they can trample on football stakeholders’ rights with impunity. You do not own football, you do not own stadiums, you do not own the future of our youth, you do not have the right to take away anyone’s right to life, freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom to seek any positions they seek in our society. For far too long, you have gotten away with blatant disregard of the law. The time for accountability is here. From now on, there will be swift and decisive legal action against any attempt to stifle our freedoms or misappropriate public resources. I call upon progressive forces in football management to remain steadfast in fighting for what is right, always. Enough is enough,” concluded Mr Mohammed in his January 5, 2024, press statement.

Mr Hussein, an entrepreneur and close ally of President William Ruto, vied for the top football seat and lost to Mr Sam Nyamweya in 2011. He is considered a front runner owing to his deep pockets and political connections. Other contestants in the FKF presidential race include Mr Nyamweya, US based ex-Kenyan football Samuel Owino Kempes and Gor Mahia Secretary Sam Ocholla

Other’s who’ve attacked President Mwendwa in the past include renowned retired footballer McDonald Mariga who blasted his leadership as one that has continuously seen Kenyan footballers suffer financially during his reign unlike past presidents who ensured players were well compensated. During this revelation in November 2023, Mr Mariga said former FKF president Sam Nyamweya was a better leader than Mr Mwendwa.

Nick Mwendwa will most likely contest for a third term amid legal challenges on whether he will be cleared as the Kenyan law says one can only contest for two terms of four years. Mwendwa has already served two terms.

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