FKF bosses should adhere to laws

President FKF Nick Mwendwa during the launch of Odi Mtaani Nairobi Cup on Thursday, March 5, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is on the verge of a Fifa ban for various reasons related to compliance with directives and applicable statutes of the global governing body.

FKF has also had a run in with custodians of the Sports Act 2013 under which they are registered, occasioning a case before the Sports Disputes Tribunal.

This is baffling especially after the election of a new FKF president four years ago ushered in a fresh pair of hands.

Kenya now finds itself nearly at the same spot as in 2004 through to 2011 when Fifa sanctions were the norm rather than exception.

The FKF, under Nick Mwendwa, has done well since February 10, 2016 but how he has handled payment of the arbitral award to former Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche, raises questions about his sense of judgement. 

The Court of Arbitration for Sport entered judgement against Kenya on September 19 last year after FKF’s appeal was dismissed. FKF should have taken steps immediately to remedy the situation.

But it squandered time and now Fifa has made it clear it would refer Kenya to the Disciplinary Committee – which could trigger serious repercussions including being thrown out of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Secondly, the manner in which FKF has handled the electoral process that should have happened before expiry of their term on February 10 this year, is a major blemish on his administration.

FKF’s non-compliance with Kenyan laws and applicable Fifa statutes borders on juvenile defiance. It is not much to ask that FKF polls be held in accordance with the Sports Act 2013, and Article 4 (3) of the Fifa Standard Electoral Code.