Former Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa.
The past has boiled itself over and the foul steam has to escape with the culprits. The sweat and tears are over and time has paid the ransom for all the poor Kenyans who had to watch as clueless and contemptible individuals played Russian roulette with the nation’s favourite pastime.
The ousted Football Kenya Federation (FKF) boss Nick Mwendwa thought he was indispensable, played by different rules, and could leave at a date of his choosing, with numerous accolades and even an HSC from State House. Kenyans have suffered under Mwendwa’s regime, which hung heavy as an alp on their collective psyche.
The players who withered in their prime just because there was no proper management are impossible to console; the families of those who saw their livelihoods sucked out by this posse are legion. The craters and stumbling blocks Mwendwa and his team recklessly spread about shall take a long time and a gargantuan effort to level off; the confusion they sowed in the ranks of all football stakeholders needs a lot of chemicals to neuter. Like the sharp-clawed buzzard, they dug their nails into the jugular of Kenyan football. They just would not let go. They were ready to go down with the whole country just like Samson on the pillars of Philistines.
When he was first elected on February 10, 2016, Mwendwa’s team came in with a lot of expectations— a tech-savvy guy who brought hope of saving players from the analogue regime led by the Methuselahs of football. But alas!
Self-destructive
In a short while, they had turned FKF into something wild and self-destructive. Everything they touched was contra Midas; instead of turning anything into gold, they turned everything to the smelliest dung.
Without weighing any pros and cons, the bumbling gang expanded the Kenya Premier League from 16 to 18 teams. This was against the contract with the continental broadcaster SuperSport, which responded by terminating the contract and putting off the switch on Kenyan football. It became as local as the FKF.
The ramifications of the exit of SuperSport were massive. Teams that got millions from the live coverage of their matches were left penniless; players that were promptly paid their salaries and allowances began to be destitute; advertisers who were advertising on team shirts ran away; players who were easily spotted for transfers to better paying leagues just couldn’t be discovered in the eclipse. It was chaos, and this chaos is what the Mwendwa team prided itself in.
Fifa Forward funds fizzled out slowly and their direction became a mystery. The performance of the national team dwindled logically to accommodate their mismanagement and worm eye view. There was arrested development of all tiers of football; youth football became a forgotten issue.
After a lengthy while of stagnation, his voice was heard whining about the dearth of talent in the country. He shocked many. Here’s the man who fought tooth and nail to win the position and just after taking over, had no idea what the job entailed. It is over now. ‘Tis well an age is out, and time to start anew.
The incoming FKF president, Hussein Mohammed, gives every impression of being a far stable and saner leader than his cartoonishly chaotic predecessor, and has a golden opportunity to end FKF's unbridled soap opera of petty politicking. It is Kenyans’ fervent hope that the new team has an agenda for revival.
“I had promised to make federations accountable and to practice good governance. We now have a new team that I believe will bring new energy and ideas to the running of our football. We shall work with the new team in a transparent manner. I expect the new leadership to enhance accountability and focus on strategic initiatives aimed at developing football at the grassroots level,” Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said.
“The new team should unite all parties and empower the youth. We have forgotten about merit in appointments. Instead, we reward friends with no capacity. Football starts at the grassroots because that’s where we get talent,” said Sofapaka coach Robert Matano.
Watching local football
The defeated posse discouraged people from watching local football due to their sloppiness. Kenyans expect the new team to bring them back from the slavery of the English Premier League.
The outgoing crew left many financial questions, Kenyans expect the new team to be above board; the beaten band took over all powers and killed the Kenya Premier League board, Kenyans hope the new shall stick to their lane; the outgoing were led by their stomachs, the new ought to think with their brains. The Africa Cup of Nations preparations were done half-heartedly, the new team must save the nation the blushes and neighbours’ knowing smiles.
“Football is on its deathbed. The new office should work hard and convince the fans to come back to the stadia. The players also deserve support to enable them earn from the game,” said former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno.
“Things are bad and we have fallen far behind our regional rivals. Hussein should accommodate ideas from all stakeholders,” offered former Harambee Stars coach James Nandwa.
“It is a new era for Kenyan football but what matters is the implementation of what was promised during the campaigns. Key to me is sponsorship of the various leagues at all levels,” said AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani.
Mr Mohammed has, for as long as Kenyans remember, coveted the post of FKF boss. He has been in every election where low-priced delegates were easily bought to endorse the unfit. He has for decades tried without giving up and his tenacity has finally paid off. He comes in at a time when Kenyans are almost quitting local football. His inbox is full.
