Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections hogged the space this past week with the back of forth war of words between antagonising parties in the fight for the control of the federation.
Elections of every kind in this country are always very emotive. All candidates claim victory. But truth be told, there is always a winner and a loser in a free and fair contest.
In national politics, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, an independent agency, oversees the General Election. Despite this, the level of mistrust is so deep rooted and complaints arise as soon as results are announced.
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.
Photo credit: Pool | Nation Media Group
FKF also has an independent body to monitor its polls, but its composition and appointments are hazy.
On Tuesday last week, the chairperson of the FKF Electoral board, Kentice Tikolo, announced that the national elections will be preceded by grassroots polls across the 47 counties on September 19.
She also announced the rules of engagement for the polls, indicating among others, that a candidate for presidency must be an adult Kenyan citizen by birth and be endorsed by at least five FKF members.
'Contemptuous' activities
This would be the third time the board is overseeing the federation’s elections since the first two held in December and March this year were nullified by the Sports Dispute Tribunal as flawed.
Tikolo’s announcement of the elections roadmap sparked an immediate rebuttal from interested parties. In a joint effort to demand a credible process, presidential aspirants Sam Nyamweya, Twaha Mbarak, Nicholas Musonye, Alex Magelo, and Aduda Omondi contacted law firm to send an order to the board to stop what they termed “contemptuous” activities.
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.
Photo credit: David Kwalimwa | Nation Media Group
The letter read in part: “We wish to bring to your attention that pursuant to the ruling of the SDT, the entire electoral process was nullified and you can, therefore, not purport to publish a roadmap and regulations on “pending” elections as the entire process was nullified ans should be done afresh...
“You have no authority or power to issue any regulations or roadmap on FKF elections as your mandate is limited to overseeing national and county elections, and you can also not appoint an individual or institution to oversee sub-county elections.”
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.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The Board has also been told it cannot resume work until the rules of engagement of the elections are established by the stakeholders.
We abhor the confusion and sincerely hope it can be remedied as fast as possible. The recipe for the formation of rival football association is in the offing and there is every possibility that we may go back to the confusion that reigned because of bloated egos.
