Radical changes await Kenyan football after years of wrangles

From left to right: Interior PS Raymond Omollo, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba and Sports PS Peter Tum during a breakfast meeting with Kenya Police Football Clubs at Ole Sereni hotel. [Kelly Ayodi/Standard]

For the umpteenth time, the government and world football governing body, Fifa, have promised radical changes in Kenyan football.

This follows a recent consultative meeting between Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and the officials from the Zurich-based body.

The new development comes barely four months after the High Court in Mombasa stopped the highly anticipated Annual General Meeting (AGM) initially scheduled for March 16 after sports journalist Milton Nyakundi questioned the legality of Football Kenya Federation’s top officials to convene the meeting. The AGM was supposed to pave way for the delayed elections.

The ever-ending wrangles put Kenya’s chances of hosting the joint-2027 Africa Cup of Nations in the balance.

However, speaking during a breakfast meeting with FKF Cup champions Kenya Police and Kenya Women Premier League champions (KWPL) Kenya Police Bullets at Ole Sereni hotel yesterday, Namwamba said Kenyans should start bracing for change, particularly on how the sport is managed.

“We will fix sports to make sure it is well managed. I recently held a meeting with Fifa and we have agreed on a plan on how to address Kenyan football, and very soon we will make that plan public. We are working closely with Fifa and we want all of you who have worked in the ecosystem to contribute and make Kenyan football better,” said Namwamba.

“The relationship between the government and Fifa is a continuous thing, it’s not an event, it’s a process and a journey that will always be there. The government will always talk to Fifa.”

But asked when the delayed FKF elections will be held, Namwamba said: “You know the government doesn’t set election dates. If the government starts setting elections dates for federations that’s when countries start getting banned and suspended. That’s what is defined as interference in the internal affairs of federations. All 100 plus federations in this country have a constitution, government insistence is always that all federations follow and obey their constitutions. That’s the irreducible minimum.”

The CS further ordered the federation to return the end of season gala where the balance of the grants owed to all FKF PL clubs will be paid as the country celebrates its top talent.

“The gala is happening this season. It should be a norm for the football fraternity to gather and celebrate at the end of every league season, and honour those who have done well. So, it’s happening as part of the revival of our sport,” said Namwamba.

Apart from rewarding the two teams with Sh1 million for their exploits last season, Namwamba promised to support them together with record champions Gor Mahia during their upcoming CAF assignments. He further revealed that CAF officials will be in Nairobi on Friday to inspect the country’s preparedness to the 2027 Afcon.

“As you prepare for continental football, let me tell you, it’s brutally competitive. But we want you to go there to compete and not participate. Now, my challenge to all those managing sports in the country, please come and take a leaf from this Police model. I’m impressed with their system because it’s purely focused on players’ welfare,” he said

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, who is also the club’s patron, said they need a total of Sh43 million (Police-Sh19m and Bullets-Sh24m) to ensure the two teams compete well on their continental debut.

“For the first time in the history of our club, we are taking two teams to continental football. These achievements speak a lot about our talent and leadership. We really appreciate our sponsors, because without them, we wouldn’t be having this celebration. To our players, you are a true testament of commitment and hard work. We are looking for Sh19m to support the men’s team and Sh24m for the women’s team,” said Omollo.

The event was graced by Sports PS Peter Tum, Police FC chairman Munga Nyale, CEO Chris Oguso, Harambee Starlets/Kenya Police Bullets coach Beldine Odemba and Kenya U18/Kenya Police coach Salim Babu.