Sports Registrar Rose Wasike is expected to launch a probe into the affairs of Football Kenya Federation anytime this week.
This follows a startling directive last Thursday by Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed requiring Wasike to, within 14 days, scrutinise the activities of the local governing body in line with the provisions of Sports Act 2013 and submit a report.
Amina's directive came exactly a day after FKF honcho Nick Mwendwa lost a case in the High Court where he had filed an injunction seeking to stop the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from arresting him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Seemingly, Mwendwa is currently a haunted man given that, on Friday, four local football stakeholders Twaha Mbarak, Sammy Sholei, Andrew Amukowa and Goshi Juma Ali also went for his jugular.
The four termed Amina's move a welcome gesture and urged the Registrar to act promptly to save Kenyan football from “any further defilement by its enemies who have been masquerading as its administrators for the last six years.”
The four stakeholders want the audit to delve, specifically, into the misappropriation of resources and monies disbursed to the FKF by the government of Kenya through the Sports Fund.
They are seeking to know whether the monies received have been accounted for, as provided for by the Public Finance Management Act 2012 and all other applicable laws and/or regulations governing expenditure and accountability of public resources.
However, Football Kenya Federation has already indicated it will not surrender to pressure, adding the activities at Kandanda House won't splutter to a halt in the wake of the probe.
In a communique signed by CEO Barry Otieno, FKF said it still remains wholly committed to the healthy development of football and will continue to undertake football development activities during the said inspection period, including the management and running of all FKF leagues across the country.
However, FKF has raised concerns about the scope, terms of reference and objective of the said inspection and has formally written to the Cabinet Secretary for Sports and Culture Amina seeking further and better particulars 'to enable the federation ensure compliance with the lawful and legitimate edicts of the inspection'.
That notwithstanding, the Mwendwa-led administration says it remains cognizant of the powers of the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, as provided for under Article 52(1) of the Sports Act(2013) and will comply with the said inspection as guided by the Sports Act (2013), FKF constitution(2017) and Fifa Statutes.
It is quite encouraging to note that FKF is ready and willing to abide with the entrenched law. Mwendwa and his team should regard this as a glorious opportunity to clear their name following numerous aspersions cast in the recent past.
What's important is for all the parties involved in the investigation to maintain law and order during the entire process.
While at it, the government should remain cognizant of the fact that any interference deemed inappropriate by the world football governing body, Fifa, may land the country in trouble.
Fifa statutes prohibit governments from interfering with the activities of affiliate football associations.
