‘POLLS WILL BE CREDIBLE’: FKF Electoral boards launched, assure candidates of fairness

Chairman FKF appeals board Adan Mohamed during the inauguration of the Football Kenya Federation Elections and Appeals boards at Hotel Sarova Panafric on Saturday, Oct 3, 2015. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO.

The Football Kenya Federation Elections and Appeals boards have pledged to uphold integrity, fairness and credibility in their areas of jurisdictions.

The board members were unveiled yesterday at a Nairobi hotel. Lawyer Donald Kipkorir will head the Elections Board while Adan Ahmed who was a member of the board that conducted the last national football elections will head the Appeals Board.

The Elections Board will oversee the elections with IEBC conducting it while the Appeals Board will solve any disputes that may arise from the FKF national polls set for next month.

“I wholly accept this appointment with honour. I pledge to adhere to the Fifa rules and regulations in my appointment. There will be no hidden cards or bending of rules by my board members,” Kipkorir said.

Ahmed assured that he will act to capacity to ensure that any aggrieved party gets justice and that his Appeal Board will be just and fair in their rulings in case there is a dispute.

The other members of the Election Board are David Mereka (lawyer), former AFC Leopards marksman J.J Masiga, Betty Maina (former Kenya Manufactures Association CEO) and Bernard Bishop Njoroge.

Others are Irene Tindi (Centre for Multiparty Democracy CEO), Major General (retired) Suleiman Gharib, Naftali Nyaberega (Nakuru businessman), professor Edwin Wamukoya (Zetech University Vice Chancellor) and Steve Mburu who is a UK-based referee.

“It’s good to be back home. I feel honoured and grateful for Kenya to recognise my efforts all the way from the UK. I felt obligated and had to fly all the way to attend this inauguration,” said Mburu.

Other members of the Appeals Board are Hassan Haji, Beatrice Wanzala, James Kinyanjui, and lawyer Kethi Kilonzo.

FKF president Sam Nyamweya explained that the members of the boards were selected by FKF’s members during the recently held Annual General Meeting held at the capital.

“The appointments were done by members during our AGM. The boards are comprised of members of impeccable character, number one patriots, brilliant minds with moral standings that are beyond reproach,” Nyamweya said, and gave an assurance that the playing field would be level for all candidates and that FKF will accord the boards members the necessary conditions to ensure equity and fairness is executed to all contestants.

“I am calling for peaceful campaigns and I request the football fraternity to be united before, during and after the elections. I will support the winner if I am beaten in the elections and so I also request opponents to be ready to submit if they lose the elections to me,” said Nyamweya.

Nyamweya said the elections would commence from the sub-branch, to branch and then the national levels.

“The sub branch elections will be held on October 29 which will be followed by branch elections on November 6 and then national elections between November 14 and 20.

"The dates are tentative and subject to change by the IEBC in coordination with the Elections and Appeals boards,” said Nyamweya.

The Elections Board's first task will be to verify the list and authenticity of registered clubs.

Apparently, clubs have three more days to present their names to FKF for verification.