FKF summons Kenyan Premier League bosses

Ambrose Rachier(right) chairman KPL shakes hands with Robert Muthomi(left) CEO FKF SportPesa has partnered with Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and Kenya Airways in Sports Tourism Venture on 20th February 2017. PHOTO: WILBERFORCE OKWIRI

Football Kenya Federation has made good its threat of taking disciplinary action against Kenyan Premier League (KPL) leaders.

According to documents obtained exclusively by FeverPitch, KPL chairman Ambrose Rachier and Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda have been summoned to appear before FKF Disciplinary Committee on March 22.

According to the summonses, Rachier and Oguda face three similar charges. The first count is ‘Failure to comply with the directives and decisions of FKF contrary to article 13(a) of the FKF constitution.’

In a sworn affidavit signed by FKF CEO Robert Muthomi, the national football governing body also accuses KPL of making erroneous, misleading or false public statements about FKF policies, decisions or activities contrary to article 10.2 of the rules of Kenyan Football 2015.

The third charge states that KPL should be held responsible for ‘a conduct which is considered unsporting, insulting or improper behaviour likely to bring the game into disrepute.’

Oguda confirmed they have received the summonses from the federation, but added that are yet to respond.

“Yes, I have received the summonses to appear before FKF disciplinary committee and as KPL, we are yet to discuss the matter,” said Oguda.

According to Oguda, the charges require legal interpretation and KPL, through their lawyer Geoffrey Orao-Obura, had responded to the federation’s Charge Sheet dated February 10, 2017.

In their response, KPL said the alleged accusations were part of the issues in dispute before the Sports Disputes Tribunal.

The letter reads in part: “Kindly note that the subject matter of the alleged accusations against our clients already constitute issues in dispute in the following causes pending before the Sports Tribunal. 1. Tribunal Cause No. 01 of 2017: Sofapaka FC verses FKF. 2. Tribunal Cause No. 01 of 2017: Muhoroni Youth FC verses FKF. The alleged accusations are therefore sub judice and cannot be canvassed elsewhere except at the Tribunal.”

From the summons, the Disciplinary Committee is made up of David Mereka (Chairman), Joseph J Masiga and Irene Tindi as members. Attempts to reach Mereka or Masika proved futile, but Tindi distanced herself from the summonses, saying she has been away.