FKF Elections: FIFA rings suspension bell after AGM postponement

World football governing body FIFA has warned that Kenya might be suspended should Football Kenya Federation not hold its elections within the stipulated time.

FIFA's response comes after the FA failed to hold its meeting, which was to give a roadmap for the conduct of the elections.

The AGM was postponed in the last minutes after a court issued an injunction warning FIFA that such moves are putting the country on the wrong path.

"We refer to your letter received on March 16, 2024, and to the order of the Mombasa High Court, dated March 15, 2024, in relation to an interim stay of the Annual General Meeting of the FKF, which was scheduled to take place on March 16, 2024.

"We have received with great concern the information regarding the postponement of the FKF Annual General Meeting due to the abovementioned court order issued less than 24 hours before the starting time of the said meeting," a letter sent to FKF read in part.

FIFA's delegates were already in Kenya ahead of the postponed AGM. 

"This order was issued despite the preparations for the general meeting by the FKF and the arrival of the delegates representing the members of the FKF who travelled from across the country in order to attend this important meeting. A FIFA delegation was also in Nairobi in order to attend this meeting as observers," the letter added.

Dispute resolution

FIFA drew attention to specific rules that govern soccer disputes and why any outside mechanism to resolve them will not be allowed.

"In this respect and first of all, we draw your attention to article 69 of the FKF Statutes, which expressly stipulates that '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, [the FKF statutes], or binding legal provisions specifically provide for or stipulate recourse to ordinary courts.

"The infringement of the aforementioned provisions of the FIFA and CAF Statutes may give rise to grounds for the suspension of FKF, irrespective of whether the infringement was attributed to FKF or not," FIFA added.

The Zurich-based body has now ordered FKF to go on and hold the meeting before conducting the elections thereafter.

"In view of the foregoing, the FKF is directed to conduct its Annual General Meeting soon and to continue working towards conducting the FKF elections scheduled to be held this year," the letter concluded.