Shabana patron Sam Nyamweya hits out at Kerama as leadership woes persist
The leadership woes at Shabana FC continue to persist, with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League club patron Sam Nyamweya threatening to sue one Elizaphan Kerama for impersonation.
In a press statement to newsrooms on December 11, 2023, Nyamweya, a veteran football administrator, further warned Kerama against ‘exercising powers that he did not have’.
“He is using Shabana as a stepping stone to contest for a parliamentary seat in Kisii. He is part of the people leading the team towards relegation and must be called out,” said Nyamweya, a former FKF president.
Added Nyamweya: “Peter Omwando is the bonafide club secretary. He is the one legally mandated to communicate on behalf of the club. He has been communicating to the federation and signing cheques.”
Nyamweya’s hard hitting statement comes hours after Kerama issued a separate statement, complete with the club’s official letterhead and signed off as the club’s secretary.
In the ‘statement’ dated December 10, 2023, Kerama addressed a number of issues, including the recruitment of a new coach to replace Sammy Okoth, recruitment of players and a meeting with Kisii Governor Simba Arati, whom he referred to as the club’s patron.
He said: “We are steadfastly committed to rectifying our current standing and restoring the team’s former glory. This period marks a crucial opportunity for us to realign and progress in the right direction.”
Leadership woes aside, Shabana have struggled in the top-flight since attaining promotion after a superb outing in the National Super League that ended in May 2023.
Despite the backing from a jersey sponsors and thousands of passionate fans who throng her matches, Shabana has won two of their 13 fixtures in the league, picking up a paltry 11 points in the process.
The team is currently placed in position 15 on the 18-team league, a point above the relegation spots occupied by Nzoia Sugar and Sofapaka FC.
The poor results cost coach Okoth his job in October 2023.
The club has yet to replace him amid reports talk with veteran trainer Sammy Omollo have fallen through.
Shabana’s latest outing was a 2-0 defeat away to Kakamega Homeboyz at the Bukhungu stadium in Kakamega.