The much-awaited Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential elections are slated for December 7.
There has been push and pull before the date was set, but now all candidates are trying to convince delegates why they are the best to lead the football body for the next four years.
The FKF Electoral Board is also in place which means it is all systems. However, while everyone is looking forward to the elections, there are serious issues raised by candidates.
There are fears the elections might not be free and fair since many think the Electoral Board might not be independent considering that it was unveiled by the incumbent office.
Many candidates have called for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to be involved for fairness. The onus is however on the Electoral Board to ensure the issues raised are addressed to conduct the elections successfully.
The board has a duty not only to the current FKF office, but also to the entire football fraternity.
The officials elected in December will be responsible of hosting a successful Chan competition next year and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations that we will be co-hosting with Uganda and Tanzania.
All this will not be possible though if we can’t manage the elections well right from the county level to the national office.
Already several candidates are complaining about fake lists of voters supposed to vote at the county level with some clubs pointing out that they have seen lists of club officials who have never handled matters at the particular clubs.
If such complaints are not sorted out now, it means the delegates who will be voting at the presidential elections might not be genuine. The voters and candidates will only have confidence in the board to deliver a free and fair election once they sort out all the issues raised.
We also urge Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to ensure the FKF elections are done after all the thorny issues have been addressed.
We have seen how our young teams have done like the Rising Stars qualifying for the 2025 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations and the Junior Starlets who represented us at the Under-17 Fifa World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
We will only be able to nurture them if we hold our elections fairly and ensure we have deserving people at the helm of FKF.
In the past, some football officials have been accused of overseeing corruption and siphoning funds meant for football development. Such individuals must not be allowed near the federation again. All eligible candidates must be properly vetted and then given a fair chance.
Over to you the Electoral Board, Kenyans are looking up to you to deliver free, fair and transparent elections.