Cleophas Shimanyula, the chairman of Kakamega Homeboyz Football Club, has entered the race for the presidency of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) with ambitious plans to revitalize Kenyan football. In his campaign launch at the Golf Hotel in Kakamega, Shimanyula outlined four major reforms he intends to implement if elected. With his running mate, Bandari FC Vice Chairman Twaha Mbarak, Shimanyula has made it clear that his vision is focused on fairness, development, and rooting out corruption in football governance. These reforms address key issues affecting the sport at both the grassroots and national levels, and if successful, they could bring significant positive changes to the state of Kenyan football.
The first area Shimanyula intends to transform is the financial management surrounding referees, a group he believes has been severely neglected under the current FKF leadership. Referees are vital to the smooth running of football competitions, but in Kenya, many of them have experienced long delays in receiving their payments, sometimes going as long as two years without their salaries. This kind of mismanagement has resulted in dissatisfaction and compromised the quality of officiating in Kenyan football leagues. Shimanyula has promised to end this practice of delayed payments. He believes that timely compensation for referees is crucial for maintaining their morale and ensuring that matches are officiated fairly and professionally. Moreover, Shimanyula plans to introduce rigorous training programs to raise the standard of refereeing across all levels of competition. He is convinced that better training will not only improve match officiating but will also build trust among players, teams, and fans, who have often expressed concerns about inconsistent refereeing decisions.
Another key issue Shimanyula aims to tackle is the flawed national team selection process, which has long been a source of frustration for players, coaches, and fans. Over the years, accusations of favoritism have plagued the selection of players for the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s national football team. Many talented players have been overlooked in favor of less qualified individuals, often because they do not play for certain well-connected clubs. This has led to a perception of bias and unfairness in the system, which has, in turn, hurt the performance of the national team on the international stage. Shimanyula is committed to ending this favoritism by implementing a transparent selection process that will ensure the most deserving players, regardless of their club affiliations, are chosen to represent the country. His goal is to build a national team that is based on merit, skill, and performance rather than personal connections or influence.
One of the areas of Kenyan football that Shimanyula believes has been grossly neglected is women’s football. Female players and women’s football teams in Kenya have struggled to gain recognition, funding, and support, largely due to a lack of investment from the football federation. Women’s football in Kenya has suffered from the absence of sponsorships, and many female players have gone unpaid for their efforts on the field. Shimanyula has identified this as an urgent issue that needs to be addressed to ensure the growth and development of women’s football in the country. He has vowed to secure sponsorships for the Women’s Premier League, which would provide much-needed financial support for female players and their teams. This would not only help to improve the standard of women’s football but also offer female athletes the respect and recognition they deserve for their contributions to the sport. Shimanyula is adamant that under his leadership, women’s football will be elevated to a level where it is seen as just as important as the men’s game, with equal opportunities for sponsorship, media coverage, and professional growth.
The fourth and perhaps most critical issue Shimanyula has vowed to address is the corruption that has taken root in the National Super League (NSL). The NSL is Kenya’s second-tier football league, but it has been marred by widespread corruption, particularly in the payment of referees. Currently, NSL clubs are responsible for paying referees before matches, a system that Shimanyula believes creates opportunities for bribery and match-fixing. He argues that when clubs have control over referees’ payments, they can manipulate the outcome of matches by offering referees financial incentives for favorable decisions. This not only undermines the integrity of the game but also damages the credibility of the entire league. To combat this, Shimanyula has proposed a complete overhaul of the payment system for referees in the NSL. Under his plan, referees would be paid centrally by the FKF, ensuring that payments are made on time and removing the possibility of clubs influencing officials. By eliminating the potential for bribery, Shimanyula believes he can restore fairness and integrity to the league, allowing it to develop into a competitive and respected competition.
The reforms Shimanyula is proposing reflect some of the most pressing challenges facing Kenyan football today. From delayed payments to referees to favoritism in national team selection, the issues he has highlighted have been a source of frustration for players, coaches, and fans alike. The neglect of women’s football and the corruption in the National Super League further underscore the need for comprehensive reform in Kenyan football governance. Shimanyula’s candidacy represents a fresh start for the FKF, with a focus on transparency, fairness, and development at all levels of the sport.
In addition to his four main reform areas, Shimanyula has also spoken about his broader vision for Kenyan football. He believes that the country has enormous untapped potential in the sport, particularly at the grassroots level. To nurture this potential, Shimanyula plans to invest in youth development programs, ensuring that young players across the country have access to quality coaching, facilities, and opportunities to progress through the ranks. He is also committed to improving infrastructure, such as stadiums and training grounds, which are essential for the growth of football in Kenya. By building a strong foundation at the grassroots level, Shimanyula hopes to create a pipeline of talent that will feed into the national leagues and eventually the national team.
Another aspect of Shimanyula’s vision is financial accountability within the FKF. Over the years, there have been numerous allegations of financial mismanagement within the federation, with funds meant for football development often disappearing without a trace. Shimanyula has promised to introduce strict financial oversight measures to ensure that all funds are used for their intended purpose. This includes greater transparency in how sponsorship deals are managed and how money is distributed to clubs, teams, and development programs. By promoting financial accountability, Shimanyula aims to rebuild trust between the FKF and its stakeholders, including players, clubs, sponsors, and fans.
As the FKF presidential election approaches, Shimanyula’s candidacy adds to an already competitive race. He is one of seven candidates vying for the top position, including former FKF president Sam Nyamweya, former international player Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino, businessman Tom Alila, and sports administrator Hussein Mohammed. Each of these candidates brings their own set of ideas and solutions for the problems facing Kenyan football, but Shimanyula’s focus on fairness, transparency, and development sets him apart from the rest of the field.
If Shimanyula is successful in his bid for the FKF presidency, he will have the opportunity to implement his ambitious reform agenda and bring about the changes he has promised. However, he will also face significant challenges, including navigating the entrenched interests within the federation and gaining the trust and support of the football community. Despite these challenges, Shimanyula remains confident that his leadership can bring about a new era for Kenyan football, one that is built on transparency, fairness, and a commitment to the development of the sport at all levels.
In conclusion, Cleophas Shimanyula’s bid for the FKF presidency represents a potential turning point for Kenyan football. His focus on timely payments for referees, transparent national team selection, securing sponsorship for women’s football, and eliminating corruption in the National Super League addresses some of the most critical issues facing the sport today. If he is able to implement these reforms, Shimanyula could transform Kenyan football and create a more equitable, competitive, and successful football landscape in the country. His vision for a fairer and more transparent FKF, combined with his commitment to the development of both men’s and women’s football, offers hope for a brighter future for the sport in Kenya.
