Hue and cry as FKF presidential aspirants raise rigging claims

FKF Presidential aspirant Tom Alila read a statement onbehalf of other aspirants and football stakeholders during a press conference on their plea ahead of FKF elections in Nairobi. Oct 3, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya is scheduled to hold its football elections on December 7 and the build up towards the nervy polls is already drawing hue and cry from many quarters.

on Thursday, all the lined up presidential aspirants converged in Nairobi where they made very wild claims against the recently unveiled Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Electoral Board.

The 11 candidates alleged that there are deliberate attempts to alter the FKF voter register which undermines the principles of transparency, fairness, Integrity and inclusivity which should govern the elections.

They claim the voter register of over 30 counties have been manipulated with 372 delegate names interfered with.

They said communication channels availed by the board to file and air their grievances have all malfunctioned.

Lastly, they have issues with the electoral board being stationed at the Kandanda House saying it highlights the board's lack of independence.

"In light of these alarming developments, we call upon the Electoral Board, the Ministry of Sports, the Confederation of African Football and Fifa to take immediate action to safeguard interest of football in the country," former Tusker and Harambee Stars player, Harold Ndege, who read a joint statement on behalf of the candidates, said.

The aspirants told clubs and their representatives not to accept the forthcoming elections saying it's already a flawed process.

"We urge them to submit their petitions to the electoral board by Friday morning. It is essential to ensure the upcoming elections are conducted in a manner that upholds the core values of free, fair, impartial, credible, verifiable, transparent and inclusive elections done by an independent body," said Ndege.

The aspirants are recommending the following ahead of the elections:

-That an urgent independent electoral body be established to take over the exercise with immediate effect.

-That transparency regarding any changes or updates on the elections be made to the register.

-That the current FKF president and the Chief Executive Committee be devoid from any involvement in the elections.

-That the Sports Ministry should change the operational location of the Electoral Board.

-That an Appeal Board be established and their location and communication channels made public for candidates to air their grievances.

-That there should be strict oversight by both local and international stakeholders to guarantee credible, transparent and verifiable elections.

-And lastly, that there should be a roundtable meeting with the electoral board and stakeholders to endorse the election process.

While commenting on their pleas made, former Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga who is also eyeing the FKF presidency said: "Everyone is tired of this back and forth in these elections. We can't wait for it to end, we just want a fresh start for Kenya's football.

"When elected, I want to put Kenya's football to where it belongs, I will ensure we have proper infrastructures so we don't stage our international qualifiers in other countries."

Another former international, Sammy 'Kempes' Owino said he smelt a rat in these elections and is the reason he ran to Fifa's Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland to file a petition that is still in the process of being considered.

"What we are witnessing now proves my initial doubts, I didn't have the faith that the grounds will be leveled for everyone in these polls and things are just unfolding as I had predicted," said Owino.