Football Kenya Federation to move to Goal Project offices next month

Ashford Mamelodi

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) will move to their new headquarters early next month following completion of its renovation at a cost of Sh25million.

The current officials were elected in 2011, but have been operating in hired premises since then, as the headquarters built under the Fifa goal project were dilapidated. But the world football governing body has been adamant the federation should occupy the offices, something that forced FKF to renovate the building.

Visiting Fifa officials yesterday toured the facility located behind the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani. Speaking at the facility, FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya said four people have been charged with vandalism.

"When we came into office in 2011, we found the place completely vandalised and four people have been charged with the offence. We have spent Sh25million and hope to get in by the beginning of next month.

"This is just the first phase of the project. The second phase will focus on hostels and then ask for another grant from Fifa to lay down an artificial turf at the facility to make it possible for our national teams to hold training sessions," he said.

Vandals ripped apart the building and took away almost everything including furniture and FKF have been forced to get fitting replacements.

Fifa Development Officer Ashford Mamelodi said: "We have been very concerned that FKF are not using this facility since being elected and have been urging them to renovate and move in. Now that it is ready, we can think about awarding them another project," he said.

The property has a hostel with 16 rooms, which have previously been used by former football officials. Football Kenya Limited (FKL) officials were the first to occupy the new building when it was completed in 2010. Kenya has also benefited from an artificial turf laid down at City Stadium in another goal project.