• “We have a chance to rectify all our mistakes at the forthcoming elections," said Masbayi.
• Masbayi added that there is need to follow the set laws if the country is going to have a long-term cure for the ills that have been witnessed in the last two decades.
Image: HANDOUT
A section of football stakeholders believe the forthcoming Football Kenya Federation elections could be a defining moment for the local game.
During a press briefing at a Nairobi hotel led by veteran administrator Noordin Taiband and Umeme FC team manager Eugene Masbayi, the stakeholders said the elections, set for March 2024, should help extinguish the 'bad manners' that has dogged years for years on end.
Masbayi believes football in Kenya has the capacity to grow only if the elected leaders are to work as per the expectations and in accordance with the law.
He added that change is required at FKF for a better football environment.
“We have a chance to rectify all our mistakes at the forthcoming elections," said Masbayi. "We want the elections to offer a roadmap for the Kenyan game."
"All we need is competent leaders. This will help us reduce illegalities in our football,” offered Masbayi.
Masbayi added that there is need to follow the set laws if the country is going to have a long-term cure for the ills that have been witnessed in the last two decades.
They also expressed their dissatisfaction with the current state of football under the leadership of FKF president Nick Mwendwa.
“The Sports Act was formed to guide us. We need to abide by the law. Unless we change our strategy, we will keep on revolving at one point. We urge the government to work with the federation and discuss how football should be run in the country,” added Masbayi.
Taib, who served as treasurer of the then Kenya Football Federation, reiterated the need for changes in the federation’s leadership.
"We are asking the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba to provide leadership on this matter to ensure that we have a credible election that will ensure the right process is followed to avoid the wrangles that have previously ended in court," said Taib.
He observed that the current office has had a series of 'handballs' that have negatively impacted football in the country.
Some of the challenges that have faced FKF in the recent past include the disbandment of the National Executive Committee by the then Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed in 2021 and the subsequent installation of a caretaker committee.
The move attracted a ban from the world football governing body Fifa, which barred Kenya from competing in international matches on February 2022. Subsequently, Harambee Stars were disqualified from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
At the same time, Mwendwa was embroiled in a fierce legal battle to clear his name in court as he was accused of embezzling funds amounting to Sh38 million.
Noordin also termed the NEC, formed under the Sports Act 2016, as functioning against the law since they are yet to comply with the Sports Act 2013.
"The court arbitration for sports has confirmed the lawful removal of FKF and NEC from office as evidence from the ruling of Harambee Stars/Starlets case," said Noordin in a statement.