AFC need to wake up from their slumber and reclaim their rights

The cancellation of the SuperSport-KPL sponsorship deal was supposed to be a blessing in disguise, until KPL 'spoilt the party'.

The league bosses declared that no club has the right to individually negotiate any broadcast deal.

Apparently, the clubs agreed to give away these rights in a 2010 resolution, a copy of which is not available. As it were, AFC felt disenfranchised from the selling of the mashemeji derby broadcast rights.

History repeated itself, as was in 2011 when AFC launched Ingwe TV. AFC was coerced to cancel the Ingwe TV deal. This action came to haunt Ingwe when their only sponsor, Mumias Sugar Company, suspended their deal in 2015.

AFC went into 'HDU'(high dependency unit) financially speaking and were forced to survive on 'KPHS ' (Kenyan professional handout system).

Harambees were the order of the day, while player exodus from the club was akin to that of the Israelites leaving Egypt!

But there are unending questions over the sudden turn of events. First, is it not absurd for AFC to be controlled by a company they ought to be controlling?

Are AFC aware that under Section 29 of the Companies Act, KPL should provide copies of articles, memorandums of association, and resolutions to its shareholders? That under Section 320, AFC has a right to inspect all resolutions, which KPL is supposed to preserve and provide under Section 317, failing which they should pay a fine of not less than Sh500,000?

AFC should demand fair treatment to secure a broadcast deal, just as Sofapaka FC and Mathare United were allowed to sign deals with betting companies that rival league sponsors, SportPesa.

In addition, AFC should explore legal avenues: Sue KPL under Section 780 of the Companies Act that allows a shareholder to seek relief when the affairs of the company are run oppressively and unfairly, which can be seen as prejudicial to the shareholder's rights.

Secondly, issue a written resolution to cancel the redundant resolution under Section 262. This does not require a general meeting. If a simple majority of the clubs says 'Aye', the resolution is revoked.

After all, mortality is the only permanent agreement.

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