Kenyans know the problems that have dogged local football over the years. We were the only country with two football associations claiming legitimacy.
When Fifa and Kenyan Government ruled that an all-inclusive election be held, the purpose was to unify football management.
I am seeking to be the national chairman in the forth-coming football elections. I want to address the contentious issue that national football federation leader must be a degree holder.
Over the years, we have had graduates and non-graduates managing the game. The track record of individuals from the Kenneth Matiba era to the current administration speaks for itself. Both graduates and non-graduates have produced the best and worst football administrators in Kenya.
A degree does not guarantee good leadership. What matters is the individual’s ability and vision. And only the electorate can decide.
Due to various reasons, thousands of Kenyans miss the opportunity to advance in education. Our Constitution prohibits discrimination along any lines including academic background, especially while vying for voluntary elective positions.
We must be careful not to set precedence where natural leaders and visionaries are obstructed from vying for positions.
The norm around the world is that experience in given positions within certain organisations are considered as equivalents of degrees. Most universities offer exemptions to students with such experience as they pursue their MBA courses.
Furthermore, the Inndependent Elections Board is supposed to set election guidelines as per FIFA regulations. These regulations, which member countries are supposed to follow, are categorical on discrimination of any kind.
No discrimination
Article three of the statutes states that "discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, politics or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion".
Having a degree is not a pre-requisite for one to be federation chairman.
The Fifa elections code states the procedures for transparent and democratic polls. Every Fifa member association is required to follow the code and any shift is viewed as double standards.
The perception in the public is that IEB is trying to customise the election guidelines to favour certain candidates and lock out others. This sets the stage for accusations and unnecessary wrangles that we are trying to resolve.
We have an opportunity to start afresh and not exacerbate conflict. All law-abiding Kenyans, with or without a degree, must be given the opportunity to vie whichever positions and the electorate to decide who is the best.
Sport is a unifying factor. In Kenya, football has been an integral part of our social lives. Thousands have played it and many have opted to pursue the sport and not necessarily academic success.
IEB should remember these words from Fifa President Joseph Seth Blatter: "Football has a unifying power that can and must be used to combat discrimination of all kinds."
—Hussein Mohammed, CEO, Extreme Sports ltd
