FKF issues fresh AGM notice after botched Kisii assembly

FKF failed AGM.
FKF president Sam Nyamweya flanked by other officials address a press conference at Sameta Lodge in Kisii county on June 26,2015 after the organization's AGM failed to take off. The president cited in security as a threat to their meeting. (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has called for another Annual General Meeting slated for August 28 in Nairobi after the one on Friday, June 26 in Kisii was called off over security fears.

In a notice signed Monday by FKF Secretary General Michael Esakwa, FKF extended invitation to its 20 branches, 16 FKF Premier League clubs currently playing under the aegis of Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

Also expected to attend the AGM are 18 FKF National Super League/Division One club representatives, a representative each from FKF recognized Association for football coaches, association for football referees and association of football players.

The notice reads: “Following the aborted Annual General Meeting that was scheduled for June 26 in Kisii, notice is hereby given to all members pursuant to the provision of Article 26 (1) (2) (3) of the FKF Constitution, that the third Annual General Meeting of Football Kenya Federation will be held on Friday, August 28 in Nairobi 10am.”

The agenda remains the same

But in a new twist FKF Nyanza Executive Committee member Tom Alila and his Rift Valley counterpart Doris Petra have said the new notice issued for the general meeting is illegal.

The two said no executive meeting has been called to issue a new notice, Said Alila: "No Executive Committee has been called to come up with a new date for the general meeting and the notice is therefore illegal. The federation should call for a proper executive meeting to deliberate on this matter."

Petra on her part said the agreement after Friday's aborted meeting was that an executive meeting would be called to come up with a new date.

"The reason we are in problems is because we continue to do things out of the structured framework," she said.

FKF president Sam Nyamweya, however, dismissed the duo saying the NEC cannot be held to ransom by two individuals.

“After the failed Kisii meeting, we resolved that we as NEC meet in Nairobi on Monday to chart the way forward and they had no reservations about it. So if they failed to attend should the federation come to a standstill?” Nyamweya posed.

The notice comes as rebel FKF branch officials prepared to submit a petition to the national office to convene urgently another meeting in the wake of botched Kisii General Assembly.

Asked whether the latest move is in response to the bid by the rebel group to force a new gathering, Secretary General Esakwa said: “It is just a constitutional requirement. Nobody forces it. In any case Article 26 says the AGM shall be held every year.”

Part of the reason the aborted meeting generated a lot of heat is perceived lack of transparency on the list of delegates, the venue and accompany, relevant documents such as the president’s activity report, the financial statements and the auditors’ report which the delegates said had not been attached to the formal convocation of the AGM.

But yesterday, the Secretary General sought to reassure its members saying the names of the delegates will be published seven days to the meeting date.

On the thorny issue of venue, Esakwa said: “Article 26 (2) The National Executive Committee shall fix the place and date. The members shall be notified in writing at least two months in advance. Therefore it does not talk of venue.”

Regarding Article 26 (3) which calls for a formal convocation shall contain the agenda, the chairman’s activity report, the financial statements and the auditors’ report and any other relevant documents,” Esakwa said the practice over the years has been that these documents are issued on the floor of the meeting.