Why Nairobi FKF branch was split

By ERICK OCHIENG’

The decision to split Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Nairobi branch into Eastern and Western regions was arrived at following a Special General Meeting late last year in Maragua.

Nairobi’s National Executive Committee (NEC) representative Robert Asembo says it was strange that Nairobi province has been the only region in Kenya as a one unit branch, while the rest of the provinces have at least a minimum of two branches.

FKF decided to divide Nairobi branch into two with eight new sub branches, eliciting criticisms from Nairobi branch officials last week.

"It was odd that Nairobi has been the only branch without sub-branches and so we have divided the region depending on its needs," said Asembo.

Asembo says the branch has over 1,000 clubs yet in FKF’s criterion, a branch should be made up of 150 clubs, while a sub-branch should have 50 clubs for ease of administration.

According to Asembo, FKF divided the branch for efficacious and efficient football management after realising the eight officials normally elected for the branch positions are overwhelmed and cannot effectively run football programmes for the over 1,000 clubs in the region.

"When Nairobi branch is divided into eight sub branches, there will be eight officials in every sub branch, hence efficient management of football," says Asembo who adds that sub branch officials will be answerable to officials within the branches.

FKF says by dividing the branch, there will be fair distribution of power within the region as currently five key positions (chairman, vice chairman, secretary, vice secretary and assistant treasurer) out of the working six, come from the Eastern region of Nairobi.

Asembo said another reason for dividing Nairobi is that FKF can swiftly respond and address the needs of the people.

He says this was arrived at following a survey conducted by the federation in Nairobi which recommended that the branch to be split even into three.

But FKF assures that none of the current eight officials managing the branch will be victimised or suffer any prejudice because of the new development. They will not be subjected to elections when positions in the split branches and sub branches are being filled.

"They (current Nairobi branch officials) will retain their respective positions in the branch where they come from unless they want other positions. The vacant positions will not be filled after rigorous election process. Currently, we want to fill them on interim basis through consultation and consensus building," Asembo said.

He adds that the split is beneficial to FKF’s league sponsors, as it will aid the sponsors and their products to be felt from the grassroots and be marketed fairly.

He says Copa Coca-Cola is one sponsor that will benefit greatly following their agreement with FKF to commence their U-17 championship in the region.