Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Electoral Board members are voicing their frustration over a prolonged delay in the payment of their dues, raising serious concerns about the federation’s lack of accountability. The board, which was responsible for overseeing the December 7, 2024 elections that saw Hussein Mohammed and McDonald Mariga take office, has been left waiting for compensation despite having fulfilled their responsibilities diligently.
The Electoral Board, which consisted of prominent figures like former chairman Hesbon Owila, secretary Merceline Sande, and others, has been waiting for the settlement of their dues since the elections were completed. A letter, dated December 9, 2024, addressed to acting FKF CEO Patrick Korir, demanded payment of Ksh1,080,000, covering overtime, transport, repeat election allowances, and December salaries. Despite this, there has been no response or any clear communication from FKF regarding when the dues will be settled.
According to the members of the Electoral Board, their commitment went beyond the standard workday. They reported to work on weekends and public holidays, often staying as late as 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. to ensure smooth operations, including dispatching county voting materials. Their dedication, however, seems to have gone unrecognized by FKF, which has left them frustrated and confused about why their payments have not been processed.
The situation worsened when, after seeking clarification in January 2025, the board was promised a meeting with FKF President Hussein Mohammed on January 28, only for it to be canceled at the last minute. This lack of professionalism has only added to the board’s growing dissatisfaction, with one member describing the federation’s actions as undermining their efforts and disrespectful.
A demand letter was sent to FKF on behalf of the Electoral Board Secretariat, warning that legal action would be pursued if the outstanding payments are not made. The Secretariat has made it clear that further delays are unacceptable, and both parties are at risk of reputational and operational damage if the matter is not resolved promptly.
The delay in payments has already led to turmoil within the Electoral Board. Hesbon Owila, the former chairman, has resigned, and there are concerns that more members might follow suit. This could leave the board in a precarious position, as the FKF Electoral Code requires that either the chairperson or secretary be a practicing lawyer. Additionally, with elections pending in Nyamira and Homa Bay counties due to the initial exercise being nullified, the situation is more urgent than ever. Without a fully constituted board, these counties might face even further delays in electing new leaders, causing more uncertainty in the federation’s operations.
The delay in payments also comes at a time when FKF has formed a Transition Ad Hoc Committee to review the federation’s operations. The committee is tasked with assessing finances, governance structures, human resources, and legal frameworks, and has reportedly presented its findings to FKF leadership. A meeting is scheduled to review the recommendations, but the ongoing dispute over the Electoral Board’s payments casts a shadow over the committee’s efforts.
Efforts to reach FKF for comment on the delay have been unsuccessful, with phone calls to federation officials going unanswered. This silence from the federation has only deepened the frustration felt by Electoral Board members, who are now considering taking legal action to resolve the matter.
The ongoing crisis is further compounded by the situation at Gor Mahia FC, which is also embroiled in an election-related issue. The club is under pressure to hold elections within 90 days following a ruling from the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) that deemed the current executive committee’s tenure unlawful. However, the SDT has allowed the current officials to stay in office temporarily until elections are conducted. Club Chairman Ambrose Rachier emphasized that while the elections are important, the club’s immediate focus should remain on winning the current season’s title.
Rachier confirmed that Gor Mahia plans to fully comply with the SDT’s order, with the elections scheduled to take place within the stipulated 90-day period. He also reassured the public that the club’s interests would not be compromised by the election process, and that candidates would soon be invited to express their interest.
As FKF faces the growing backlash from its Electoral Board over delayed payments, the situation at Gor Mahia adds another layer of complexity to the football landscape in Kenya. Both organizations are grappling with the pressures of maintaining operations while adhering to legal and administrative demands, underscoring the importance of financial transparency and efficient governance in the sport.
While FKF remains silent on the payment delay issue, it is clear that the Federation must address these concerns swiftly to avoid further damage to its reputation and to ensure that the Electoral Board’s legitimate claims are honored. Similarly, Gor Mahia must carefully navigate their upcoming elections to avoid further conflict and disruption to the team’s performance. Both cases highlight the broader challenges faced by Kenyan football, where financial issues, governance, and leadership disputes continue to impede the sport’s progress.
