The awaited Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections now hang in the balance after the High Court issued new orders to bar federation from holding its annual general meeting (AGM) or overseeing election.
The court’s decision has since sparked jitters with stakeholders wary of another FIFA ban for Kenya due to interference with the football affairs in the country.
In a statement on July 31, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot highlighted that if the situation isn’t handled properly, it could lead to a FIFA ban, which would mean losing the chance of hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
“On this FKF debacle, our courts will safely chaperone us into a FIFA ban, complete with all the attendant consequences, including loss of AFCON hosting,” he noted.
Further, he questioned why a judge would make “quick decisions” about the disputed election process and set the next hearing date for October, and whether the judge understood the potential consequences of her orders.
Cheruiyot further expressed his unease about the entire situation, mentioning that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and Chief Justice Martha Koome need to protect the justice system from “clear misuse of power”.
“JSC and @CJMarthaKoome must guard the judiciary against such blatant abuse of privilege,” Cheruiyot noted.
Court Order Stops FKF Elections
The High Court ruling came barely a week after federation President Nick Mwendwa gave stakeholders the green light to hold the elections at the FKF gala awards on July 26.
Nick had arranged a special AGM for September to approve the electoral board and clear the way for the November/December elections, but the court injunction has put stakeholders at crossroads.
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“If you want to continue with the good job done by the gentlemen at FKF, prepare your papers and let us meet at the ballot in October or November. The court cases that barred the process are over,” FKF president Nick Mwendwa noted.
On March 15, 2024, coast region NEC member Gabriel Mghendi obtained another court injunction from the Mombasa High Court, which delayed the earlier special AGM. Sports journalist Milton Nyakundi also filed a petition, claiming that the NEC could not have an AGM until the verdict was finalized.
Speaking during the Gala awards held on Friday, July 26, former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba advised the Federation to fast track the elections.
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He also stated that one of his final jobs before leaving the Ministry was to give assurance to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), that Kenya meets all the requirements to host the African Cup of Nations in 2027.
“There is no reason why our players should be finding Tanzania a more attractive league than our,” he noted.
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