Kenya: Football Election Rules Catch Candidates Cold

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

William Njuguna

13 April 2011

The rules for the football elections announced on Monday night by the Independent Elections Board have hit certain candidates like a Muhammad Ali uppercut punch.

Extreme Sports managing director Hussein Mohammed, a chairmanship candidate, termed the age limit requirement as unconstitutional and discriminate against the young people of Kenya. He was joined in this call by former Harambee Stars midfielder Sammy Shollei, a chairmanship candidate who said it will lock out potential candidates.

Reacting to other demands dictated by the international football federation (Fifa) recognised IEB, incumbent head of the Fifa recognised Football Kenya Ltd, Mohammed Hatimy, said he would consult with his executive committee to chart the way forward.

With the government recognised Kenya Football Federation chairman Sam Nyamweya busy networking behind the scenes, his senior vice chairman Ali Mbarak Twaha, who is gunning for the top position himself, was the lone support voice for the new rules.

Hussein Mohammed added: “The age limit requirement is unconstitutional and discriminatory against the younf people of Kenya. We are the future and our ideas can help to spur football development in the country,” Mohammed noted before adding that he will make an official statement once the code is released officially by the IEB.

Shollei said: “If you look at the Kenyan corporate sector people in their 30s are in senior management positions and its time we took football in that direction if we are to emerge as a football powerhouse in the region.” Hatimy’s position? “I will be meeting members of the FKL executive committee to chart the way forward and review my position.”

In support, Mbarak said the rules will offer a fresh beginning for the sport. “Personally I want to congratulate the Independent Electoral Board and Fifa for there wise and timely decision to come up with a code that will be used in the forthcoming election to determine and pick officials who will run the affairs of football in the country,” he added. “The rules are simple and clear to all, furthermore they give clubs across the country an opportunity to engage the candidates directly before electing them into office. ” Mbarak noted. “Let the clubs take time and evaluate those who have promoted and supported them all along. It is my hope and prayer that we have free, fair and credible elections, so that we take football affairs in the country to greater heights

Sholei meanwhile welcomed other aspects of the code like those that will bar candidates with pending criminal cases. “It’s a good rule because we don’t want those with cases to be in charge of football matters in the country,” Sholei added.

He observed that Kenyans were yearning for change in the country and a total overhaul of the football management. “Everywhere I have travelled football fans yearn for change and it is about time we put the right leaders in charge of the sport”

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