FIFA team in Nairobi for talks after FKF elections impasse
FIFA Governance Services Manager Sarah Solémalé, accompanied by CAF Chief of Staff Abdulah Marson Moustapha, are in the country to try and find a solution following the cancellation of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Elections.
In a ruling by tribunal chairman John Ohaga early this month, the FKF County Elections held on November 23, were nullified, with the subsequent national elections that were to be held on December 7, also cancelled.
According to FKF communication, the delegation had closed-door meeting with had separate meetings with Sports CS Amina Mohamed, FKF president Nick Mwendwa, FKF Electoral Board, and the Sports Registrar.
“FIFA and CAF needed to have a broad understanding of what is going on as well as what the next steps are,” said Ms. Solémalé.
“FIFA is strict on term limits. The current mandate ends on February 10, and we will have to be considerate to ensure that elections are done within the first trimester of 2020,” she added.
In October, FIFA had threatened Kenya with sanctions in the event a High Court case challenging the composition of FKF Electoral Board rules in favour of the petitioner.
This letter warned that FKF that disagreements within the sport must not be submitted to ordinary courts.
“Disputes within the FKF or affecting leagues, members of leagues, clubs, members of clubs, players, officials, and other FKF officials shall not be submitted to ordinary courts unless the Fifa regulations, or FKF statutes, or binding legal provisions specifically provide for or stipulate recourse to ordinary courts,” the letter stated.
FKF has, in the meantime, issued a notice to all its members to hold engagement meetings aimed at deliberating on the 2019/2019 FKF electoral code.
Upon deliberation by the NEC on the decisions by the members, a Special General Meeting (SGM) will be convened, which will serve to pass a vote on the Electoral Code.
The NEC shall also propose an Electoral Board, which will be up for a vote on the same day. Elections are likely to be held early next year.
