Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has reinstated the expelled Football Kenya Federation (FKF) National Executive Committee and its secretariat.
This comes just a day after Namwamba met senior Kenyan Premier League clubs officials at his office at the Kenya National Library Service in Nairobi.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Namwamba related his decision to the demands that had been made earlier by the world football federation, Fifa.
“The government is committed to fulfilling the conditions set by Fifa so that the penalty is removed. Whereas we need our football to be restored, we do not turn a blind eye to integrity, the rule of law and good governance. In my meeting with the suspended NEC, I have been open with them about these issues,” Namwamba said.
Namwamba said he expects the federation to inform Fifa about the conditions set by the government.
“FKF will communicate to Fifa regarding the understanding between them and the government on conditions that we have set. They have been put down by FKF and will be conveyed to Fifa shortly,” added Namwamba.
Part of the agreement between the government and FKF is that Mwendwa be sidelined from football until he is cleared by the court, where he is facing corruption-related charges.
The embattled FKF honcho was part of the team that met Namwamba on Friday.
“Mwendwa has acknowledged that he has a court case that needs to be resolved. In the meantime, a team led by Barry and Doris will roll football in the country,” he said.
Namwamba said he hopes that the world governing body will take quick steps to end the crisis.
“We expect that Fifa will respond with speed to the communication which will be released to them after this presser. We will continue to engage Fifa even on other issues,” added Namwamba.
FKF CEO Otieno hailed the CS for the critical role he has played in returning Kenyan football to normalcy.
Otieno said the government had fulfilled the demands Fifa had spelled out in a letter dated February 24.
“We are, therefore, pleased to confirm that the government has fulfilled the aforementioned conditions as set out by the Fifa Council, as part of the ongoing efforts by the government to allow Kenya’s return to international football,” Otieno said.
Otieno said the FKF will, in the coming days, communicate the next steps — including the status of the just concluded 2021/2022 league season and scheduled dates for the kick-off for the 2022/2023 league season.
