Officials skip meeting as new row erupts between federation and KPL

FKF Press Conference
From Left-Sofapaka FC Chairman Elly Kalekwa, FKF President Sam Nyamweya, CEO KPL Jack Oguda and Ambrose Rachier Chairman Gor Mahia consult during after emerging from a meeting with FKF NEC to discuss the violence that engulfed the KLP match against Gor in Machakos last sunday on Tuesday, October 28th. 2014. Photo/Jonah Onyango.

A new battle-front between Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and the national association could delay the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two parties ahead of a July 31 deadline set by world football governing body Fifa.

On Tuesday, KPL officials declined to attend a Joint Executive Committee (JEC) meeting until previous agreements with the federation are honoured.

The re-establishment of the committee is one of the things that were agreed upon between Fifa, KPL and FKF ahead of the July 31 deadline of signing the MoU. The memorandum of understanding is important to KPL in that it gives the league company legal mandate to run the competition.

In his letter to FKF, KPL Chief Executive Jack Oguda said they have an issue with the fact that the federation is yet to withdraw a court case against the league company in March.

“It would be appreciated if you would provide KPL with a copy of the court document confirming that you have now withdrawn the case, “ said part of Oguda’s letter.

He further said that the federation is yet to annul a resolution withdrawing the recognition and rights of KPL which were passed at the last special general meeting in January.

In reaction, FKF has accused the league company of playing politics with the matter and having bad faith.

In a letter signed by FKF Chief Executive Michael Esakwa, the federation also hit out at KPL for trying to ‘explain what happened with the June 26 aborted general meeting’.

Esakwa reminded KPL that the idea to hold joint executive committee meetings was suggested by Fifa to facilitate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and the continued delay in signing the same could be detrimental to the company.

Regarding the aborted AGM in Kisii, FKF reminded KPL that they were part of a group that attended a meeting in Kisumu which may have led to to the disruption of the gathering in Kisii.

Regarding the court case, Esakwa said lawyers have been tasked with the matter of withdrawing it in court and the league company adviced accordingly.