Let’s meet at the ballot, Mwendwa dares opponents after SGM

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa is confident of securing yet another term during the forthcoming elections, after mobilising almost a unanimous vote for the new electoral code.

On Tuesday, delegates adopted the new amended code with 72 votes to nil, while 68 of them voted ‘ayes’ to the new Electoral Board, a big leap towards repeat elections.

The FKF leadership suffered a huge blow last year when the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) cancelled the branch and county elections, which had already taken place.

The Tribunal also stopped the national elections that were set for December 7, 2019, giving orders that the board be reconstituted and extensive public participation be carried out across the branches in developing a new electoral code.

All eyes were on Mwendwa who was largely blamed by a section of aspirants saying the code favoured his candidature forcing them to give the nominations process a wide berth.

Confident that all the issues raised by his opponents orchestrating the nullification of the last year process have been addressed, Mwendwa has now challenged his competitors to meet him at the ballot.

“We have the support! The support you need is not what you find in the newspapers cuttings and in street talk. You have seen the delegates have voted for the electoral unanimously. I tell anyone who wants to contest get ready with all the nomination prerequisites, as from next week as the board will guide the journey on,” Mwendwa said.

The new board has communication expert Kentice Tikolo, sports management consultant Patrick Onyango, retired FIFA referee Alfred Ndinya, renowned sports journalist Ali Hassan Kauleni, Tennis guru Andrew Mudibo, Samuel Karanja, Rachel Muthoga and Elaine Mbugua.

Former Vihiga County Governor Moses Akaranga, former AFC Leopards chairman Alex Ole Magelo, Gor Mahia CEO Lordvick Aduda and former Harambee Stars ace McDonald Mariga are some of the FKF top job hopefuls.

Although he abstained from the Electoral Board vote, AFC Leopards Dr. Dan Shikanda has shown support for the process saying stakeholders should focus on having the elections as soon as possible.

“I think it’s high time those people who are always opposing everything calm down to allow this process to be completed before other activities are put in jeopardy,” said Shikanda, who explained his reason for abstaining from the vote was late arrival.

” I had no reason to abstain. I came in late because of some players’ transfer business that could not have waited further,” said Shikanda.

Meanwhile, the FKF president and his now confirmed Secretary General Barry Otieno are set to leave the country for Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday to brief FIFA on the developments regarding the elections so far.

Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amb. Amina Mohammed will accompany the two, as the world football governing body seeks to enhance synergy between the two sides in football development.

Poignantly, FIFA wants FKF elections done by the end of March, a month after the current regime’s tenure expiry on February 10, this year. FKF will however be in office until then, guided by the SDT ruling.

Report by Jacob Icia and Chege Amaria.