By Gilbert Wandera

Delegates overwhelmingly supported the formation of a new football association, but the move did not augur well with the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

The new association to be affiliated to the world body, Fifa, is known as Football Kenya Limited (FKL) and is registered under the Companies Act.

Branch and national elections will be held after 18 months, according to the memorandum of association of the new company. But the new development was shunned by KPL whose five members refused to attend a Special General Meeting convened to ratify the decision at Kasarani on Saturday afternoon.

When the matter was put to vote, 96 delegates out of the 104 who attended the meeting endorsed it. Majority of those in attendance said they were confident this was the best way forward for Kenyan soccer.

Joseph Wandui from Aberdares branch said the idea of forming a new association would end the protracted wrangles in the local football.

"We have had many problems but now are assured this will be the end of it. Non-members will not be allowed to cause trouble for us," he said.

Wandui also insisted that the delegates had no choice but to adhere to Fifa’s directive on the matter.

Heckling and booing

The meeting that lasted more than four hours was time and again interrupted by heckling and booing as those perceived to be against the new body were not allowed to speak.

Jacob Odundo, a former Kenya Football Federation (KFF) third vice-chairman was on the receiving end of the delegates.

Another former KFF National Executive Committee official, Mohammed Said, also disagreed with the manner in which the association was formed.

"We should have been given time to study the proposal and understand its implication. We cannot pass something we don’t understand," he said.

But Fifa’s representative at the meeting, Ashford Mamelodi, termed it a major step for Kenyan football and expressed optimism that it would end wrangles in the local administration.

He said Fifa was fully behind FKL and would support the new managers of the association.

Recognised by Fifa

"As from today, the association recognised by Fifa to run football in Kenya is FKL. This is a major move for Kenyan football and we will support it to the best of our ability," he said.

Mamelodi said those who were opposed to the formation of the new association will not be ignored and their suggestions will be included as the review of its statutes continues.

"It is not cast in stone and whatever changes they want will be considered in future," he said.

In declining to attend Saturday’s meeting, the KPL said they were concerned that the new company was not all-inclusive.