Are we headed for a Nyamweya – Mwendwa FKF showdown?
Football
By
Mohamed Awal
| Dec 04, 2019
FKF president Nick Mwendwa and former football boss Sam Nyamweya could be headed for a heated contest as far as Football Kenya Federation elections are concerned.
In a rematch of the 2017 elections, current boss Mwendwa will seek to extend his tenure in office against his fiercest competitor, the former boss, who has expressed interest in the controversy-riddled seat.
The Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) on Tuesday, November 3, cancelled the elections which were set for Saturday, November 7.
In a ruling delivered by the tribunal chairman John Ohaga flanked by Njeri Onyango and Mary Kimani on Tuesday, there wasn't enough public participation to allow the elections to go on.
"Whereas FKF claims to have engaged stakeholders, it has failed to demonstrate what steps it took to ensure adequate, timely and reasonable access of the Electoral Code to its members," said Ohaga.
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In what is seen as a career-threatening tackle to the FKF boss, the board failed to provide timelines on when the elections will be held, quoting the FIFA electoral code - electoral bodies require six months to conduct elections.
After the ruling, Mwendwa claimed the ruling only favoured a few and affected hundreds that were involved in the elections.
"We respect the ruling but are not happy with it because we followed all the procedures (to organize elections)," said Mwendwa.
"The decision favours three people against 6000 clubs. Our options are open because 300 people have spent money in the exercise. We can appeal this decision," he added.
His opponents led by Nyamweya, Jared Nyauma Ondieki, Lordvick Aduda, Alex Ole Magelo, Moses Akaranga, Steve Mburu and Angeline Mwikali, who had filed petitions celebrated the ruling.
"I laud the Tribunal for this ruling which is good news to all football stakeholders. Truth and Justice have prevailed," said Nyamweya.
The seven had sought orders to reschedule the election time-table, nullify the appointment of Edwin Wamukoya and Elynah Shiveka to FKF's Electoral Board and quash the FKF Electoral Code, claiming it had 'draconian' rules which indirectly barred them from contesting.
With the replay date yet to be determined, it is surely promising to be a good match to watch.?