The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has encountered yet another obstacle in its journey to hold the long-anticipated elections. On Tuesday, the High Court in Nairobi issued an order preventing the Kenyan football governing body from proceeding with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or engaging in any related activities until a pending case is heard.
In the court’s interim order, it was stated: “In the interim, the Respondents are hereby prohibited from calling any AGM of the Federation or doing any act of the Federation as prayed for in the motion pending hearing of the application. These orders shall remain in force up to 7/10/2024, unless otherwise varied by a court order.” This directive implies that football stakeholders will have to wait longer for the elections to take place.
During the FKF Awards Gala held at a Nairobi hotel on Friday, FKF President Nick Mwendwa expressed optimism that previous legal hurdles had been cleared. He stated, “There are no more court cases, they are over. If you want to continue with the good job that has been going on, start preparing your papers we meet at the ballot in October.”
However, this optimism was short-lived as journalist Milton Nyakundi sought fresh orders, which the court granted, once again halting the AGM. This ongoing legal tussle originated in March 2024 when the journey to the elections was initially stopped. The AGM, which was supposed to provide the roadmap for the elections, was halted through a court order. The case was filed by FKF’s Coast Region National Executive Council (NEC) member Gabriel Mghendi, prompting Nyakundi to seek the court’s intervention.
Mwendwa’s assurance came after the original case had been withdrawn, giving him the confidence to declare the election process clear of legal impediments. His address at the awards gala aimed to reassure stakeholders that the elections would proceed as planned. “If you want to continue with the good job that has been going on, start preparing your papers we meet at the ballot in October,” he said confidently.
Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, speaking at the same event, urged the FKF to expedite the election process. He emphasized the potential of Kenyan football and the importance of resolving election-related issues promptly. “My parting shot, FKF, the entire fraternity of FKF, you are sitting on a diamond mine. I implore that you make sure that the little issue of holding elections is sorted out. Make sure that the environment is clear and you run football in a manner that will make Kenya envy when it comes to football in this region,” Namwamba said.
Namwamba also highlighted the need for Kenya to enhance its football leagues to prevent talent drain to neighboring countries like Tanzania. He reassured the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that Kenya is committed to hosting the African Cup of Nations in 2027. “There is no reason why our players should be finding Tanzania a more attractive league than ours,” he added, underlining his commitment to improving the football landscape in Kenya before his tenure ended.
The FKF’s ongoing legal battles and the recent court order highlight the complexities and challenges the federation faces in organizing the much-awaited elections. The delay in holding the AGM means that the roadmap to the polls remains uncertain, leaving stakeholders in a prolonged state of anticipation. As the new court order remains in effect until October 7, 2024, unless otherwise varied, the football community waits to see how the FKF will navigate these legal waters to ensure a smooth and transparent election process.
