Sam Nyamweya withdraws from FKF elections as voting kicks off

Incumbent Sam Nyamweya sensationally withdrew from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential race on Wednesday bringing down the curtains to his turbulent tenure at the helm of the country’s game.

Nyamweya stunned delegates at the FKF Special General Meeting at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani gymnasium when he announced he was leaving the game altogether after a speech which he outlined his achievements since taking power on October 28, 2011 at the same venue.

The man who has sharply divided opinion among his supporters and critics cited ‘family reasons’ for his decision to step down meaning a new man will head Kenyan football for at least the next four years.

“As I say goodbye to active football administration, may I remind us that farewells are not forever, nor are they the end but are simple words to mark the beginning of a transition to other things.

Although I will not be involved in the day-to-day running of the federation, nothing will diminish my desire and availability to support whenever so required and I appreciate the important role that you have and always will play to my life. The FKF family is a fantastic yet diverse fabric and I urge that we focus on the individuals’ strengths and use them in a goal-directed function within our organization,” Nyamweya said in his farewell speech.

“Through deep personal reflection, consultation with my family, friends and stakeholders of the beautiful game have led me to making this decision to focus on serving my country in other capacities yet I will be available to offer my support and advise to those that I will be handing over the mantle to.

“My family needs me now, more than ever, especially my daughter who is bravely battling a medical condition and my businesses demand for my greater attention than before,” he outlined the reason behind what came as a shocking decision.

Things got underway Wednesday afternoon after the 77 eligible voting delegates were verified and the meeting resolved to align FKF with the Sports Act, 2013 to ward off any potential legal challenges to the new office after Cabinet Minister, Dr. Hassan Wario, told a Parliamentary Committee the governing body was illegal on the eve of the exercise.

Nyamweya who was facing five other contestants to the top job moved to adopt the first agenda of conforming to the act when the delegates, FIFA representatives and media finally settled inside the plenary hall in the gymnasium more than two hours behind the scheduled start at 10pm.

His key rivals, Ambrose Rachier and Nick Mwendwa seconded the adoption that saw FKF finally with a clause to amend the governing body’s constitution once the new office set in.

FKF Secretart General, Michael Esakwa, who will handle the transitional process from the old to new management read the provisions of the Act to delegates noting they conflicted with statutes of world governing body FIFA.

Primo Carvalho, FIfa’s top representative to the polls told the gathering, “We will work with the new president and we want time to sturdy the Sports Act and help FKF to work on a new constitution,” paving way for the meeting to adopt the first item on the agenda.

The wish of some of the delegates to start with the elections where the president, vice-president and members of the National Executive Committee will be voted in simultaneously in three polling stations was shot down by Nyamweya with the support of his competitors for the top seat.

Earlier, leading candidates were confident they would be given the mandate to run Kenya’s football for the next four years after an exercise that was postponed four times finally saw the light of day.

“I’m preparing for my victory speech,” Mwenda who is associated with Team Change told as he entered the venue with pomp and colour as he was ushered in a convoy of more than 30 vehicles.

Rachier who is making a second stab at the seat after losing soundly to Nyamweya on October 28, 2011 left it all to the delegates but maintained, “The time is right for my administration.”

The polling exercise will be conducted by the Institute of Education and Democracy under the watch of the FKF Electoral Board led by Donald Kipkorir.

Report by Waihiga Mwaura, Jacob Icia and Charity Muturi

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