Nyamweya in new bid to bar FKF from KPL affairs

Former Football Kenya (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya has sought an order to block by the federation management from interfering with rules and regulations of the Kenyan Premier League.

In the case, Nyamweya wants the court to block FKF and their officials from discussing or interfering with the ownership and management of the KPL.

FKF wants the case dismissed on grounds that it lacks merit but Nyamweya argues that the objection is unwarranted as the court must be given an opportunity to determine the matter on its own merits.

The former FKF boss also wants the High Court to suspend the club licensing rules and regulations adopted by the federation.

According to Nyamweya, the licensing regulations as approved by his predecessor Nick Mwendwa contravene the Confederation of African Football (CAF) licensing guidelines.

Nyamweya also wants the court to suspend orders by the Sports Disputes Tribunal instructing both parties to engage in talks over expansion of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to 18 teams.

The former president has also sued the Sports Disputes Tribunal, FKF boss Nick Mwendwa and Secretary General Robert Muthomi for violating terms of the federation, arguing the officials have allegedly done so by agreeing to run the top division.

Nyamweya claims Mwendwa has used the illegal guidelines to relegate clubs from the top tier Kenyan Premier League in contravention of the CAF club licensing guidelines.

FKF earlier in January relegated three top flight clubs – Muhoroni Youth, Thika United and Sofapaka FC – to the lower National Super League for failing to meet licensing requirements in conformity with CAF and FIFA regulations.

The trio – who finished 10th, 12th and 14th in the 2016 KPL log – were then given 14 days to appeal against the decision. However, only Thika won their appeal as Sofapaka and Muhoroni were condemned to their second-tier.

In a defiant show of support for the two, however, KPL included Muhoroni and Sofapaka in their initial fixtures for the 2017 season, excluding Zoo Kericho FC, Nakumatt FC, Vihiga United FC and KCB FC who had been promoted to the KPL by the federation.