Best way forward: Football Kenya Federation keen to expand KPL to accommodate 18 teams

Duncan Otewa (left) of Bandari FC controls the ball under presure from Andrew Tololwa (right) of Tusker FC during their Kenya Premier League match played at the Mombasa Stadiun on July 27, 2014. Photo by Gideon Maundu

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya believes an expanded premiership league will give more players a chance to develop and grow the standard of the game in the country.

In a paid-up advertisement, Nyamweya defended the federation's decision to root for an 18-team Kenyan Premier League (KPL) from next season.

Nyamweya, who was elected in 2011, said his coming into office was on the premise of taking football back to the people as they are the bona fide owners of the game.

"In a country where football is the most popular sport and with as many clubs as over 10,000 across the country, the pre-election pledge could only be realised through expanded space for our youth to grow whilst powering the football sector to its full potential as a multi-billion industry," he argues in the statement.

Nyamweya said at the end of the all-inclusive elections, which brought together different football factions, there was unanimity to harmonise the leagues as the first step towards the actualisation of the campaign promise.

"In June 2013, a gathering of FKF Stakeholders at a convention in Naivasha discussed and crafted a strategic plan for 10 years which among other issues included the proposal to have the top-flight league expand to 18 teams.

"This document was presented to delegates at the 2013 FKF Annual General Meeting held at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, who adopted the proposals of the strategic plan.

"On account of the above-mentioned facts, the federation maintains it is within its mission and vision to now expand the league to 18 teams as envisioned in 2011," he says.

Nyamweya argues that an expanded league will give an opportunity to more players to feature at the top-flight as this is the hallmark of growth of the standards of the game.

"An 18-team league will likely give an opportunity to Kakamega Homeboys, a community-based team with a large following nationally and a near-fanatical backing in western Kenya," he said.

"Another team likely to benefit from the expanded league is Nakumatt, a team sponsored by the giant Nakumatt Chain of Supermarkets giving a balance between the Corporate Clubs and Community Clubs, which in our humble view is a win-win situation for all."

He further argues the financial status of the KPL has improved tremendously since East Africa Breweries injected an additional Sh56 million, through their lead brand Tusker, and if managed prudently the windfall will be enough to cater for the added participants.

"FKF has to ensure we have competitive leagues and national teams. We believe that an 18-team league is in line with our vision and will help expand the platform for our people to enjoy football," said Nyamweya.