Kenya: KFF Up in Arms Over IEB Style of Leadership

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Francis Wadegu

29 June 2011

Kenya Football Federation (KFF) have registered their displeasure with the manner in which the Independent Electoral Board (IEB) is planning to conduct the August 13 football elections.

KFF chairman Sam Nyamweya said they undertook to participate in the elections so long as the Fifa Standard Electoral Code and FKL Statutes were adhered to. “We are surprised that, in what we consider a violation of the said undertaking, the IEB has decided to release the Electoral Code of a body not known to us-in the name of Football Kenya-which is not even a registered entity in the country. The contents of the said code are completely at variance with the FKL Statutes,” lamented Nyamweya. “Fifa in their letter to Hatimy did confirm that the code should largely be based on the Fifa Standard Electoral Code as well as FKL statutes. Fifa also directed that clubs which have been playing in the leagues managed by either FKL or KFF for at least two seasons be eligible to participate in the elections,” he said. “The federation is utterly shocked that the IEB has instead released a list of clubs not known to have participated in the leagues managed by either KFF or FKL. This in our view seems to be a calculated move to manipulate the outcome of these elections,” charged Nyamweya. “We believe the transparent method the IEB would have used, was to vet the lists provided to them by both FKL and KFF and not vice-versa. What the IEB has done is to opened a window for fraud,” said the KFF chairman.

Nyamweya further warned that KFF will only take part in the elections if the exercise is conducted in accordance with the Fifa Standard Electoral Code and FKL Statutes.

“If the IEB is unable to ensure the same, it is our suggestion that both FKL and KFF nominate 5 members each to join IEB to ensure the preparations of the exercise is transparent and all inclusive. This, in our view will end the turmoil witnessed in the administration of football in Kenya in the past,” he suggested. It is estimated that over 1000 clubs will participate in the elections with each expected to send three officials as delegates.

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