Happening Now: Trump takes the lead in US presidential race
FKF Elections: Candidates to present nomination papers
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa (right) presents his nomination papers to FKF Electoral Board chairperson Kentice Tikolo at Kandanda House, Kasarani in Nairobi on February 22, 2020.
What you need to know:
- Requirements for FKF presidency
- A candidate must be an adult Kenyan citizen by birth.
- A candidate must have at least five endorsements from FKF members.
- A candidate must have played an active role in football either as a player, member, or official of FKF in two of the last five years as per the FIFA Statutes.
- A candidate must satisfy the requirements for leadership and integrity set out in Chapter Six of the 2010 Kenyan Constitution.
- A candidate must pay a non-refundable fee of Sh300,000.
Five Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential aspirants including incumbent Nick Mwendwa are expected to submit their candidature to the Electoral board Monday afternoon.
The nomination process will be led by the board chairperson Kentice Tikolo at their offices located at Kandanda House offices between 2-5pm.
Besides Mwendwa, Herbert Mwachiro, Bonface Osano, Dan Mule and Lordvick Aduda also confirmed to Nation Sport that they will subject themselves to the exercise. This is in stark contrast to the last two elections, that were nullified by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) in which Mwendwa was the only aspirant.
Herbert Mwachiro during the interview at Nation Centre on May 31, 2020. Mwachiro has been appointed a board member of Bandari FC.
But then four other aspirants, namely Nicholas Musonye, Sam Nyamweya, Twaha Mbarak and Sammy Shollei have confirmed they will stay away for the third consecutive time.
They cite an ongoing case challenging the elections at the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) and share doubts over the credibility of the exercise as some of the reasons for their decisions.
"There are several matters that have not been resolved. There has been no room for dialogue. I cannot be part of such a process," said Musonye.
Freelance journalist Bonface Osano (left) with his running mate former Harambee Stars midfielder Innocent Mutiso during a function at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on August 18, 2020 where he officially launched his candidacy for the Football Kenya Federation presidential seat.
"The courts have twice ruled against these elections but nothing has changed. Fifa promised to come and hold talks on the way forward. That is where we are. I cannot rubber stamp the process by being part of it when it has glaring challenges," claimed Twaha.
But Aduda and Mwachiro suggest they have faith in the electoral process.
FKF presidential aspirants Sam Nyamweya (left), Alex Ole Magelo and Moses Akaranga (right) after addressing a press conference on October 30, 2019 at a Nairobi hotel.
"There is an order by the government, Caf and Fifa for football to resume (after a four month break occasioned by the coronavirus). We now have to do away with the politics and concentrate on football development," explained Aduda.
"My decision is for the good of Kenyan football. If there are challenges (in the process) we will try and solve them along the way," said Mwachiro.
Osano added: "I will submit my papers. Being part of the process is the only way to find out whether it is credible or not. If the thing is free, fair and credible, I fancy my chances (of winning)."
From Left: Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential aspirants Twaha Mbarak, Sammy Shollei, Nicholas Musonye, and Lordvick Aduda during the signing of a pre-election pact under a coalition dubbed "Super Alliance" at a Nairobi hotel on July 14, 2020.
In a related development, three other aspirants who'd expressed interest in contesting for the FKF presidency football seat appear to have lot interest. These are Moses Akaranga, Alex Ole Magelo and Cosmas Nabongolo, all of whom couldn't be reached on phone or refused to comment.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the nomination process will be followed by a week-long period where complaints from aspirants vying in the county and national elections will be heard and determined.
The county and presidential polls are slated for September 19 and October 17 respectively
