What next after Mwendwa’s vindication
By Nancy Gitonga and Edwin Otieno
Embattled Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa is now a free man after the state failed to prefer charges against him over alleged misappropriation of funds at the federal.
This is after the state on Thursday morning failed to prefer charges against Mwendwa as directed by the court last week.
The prosecution had been granted seven days to prefer charges against the football boss following allegation of misappropriation of funds indicated in a 80-page audit report that led to his arrest and detention behind the bars on November 12, but when the matter came for mention virtually yesterday, the said said it wish to close the file.
“We seek to close the file as we proceed with investigations at our own pace before we prefer charges against him,” the prosecution said.
As consequent Mwendwa is free for now as he awaits any other cause to be take by the prosecution following the ongoing probe into the misappropriation of football funds.
Following the new development senior resident magistrate Wandia Nyamu allowed the state request to close the miscellaneous file.
“I therefore order this matter closed as prayed by the DPP, “ Wandia said.
Mwendwa lawyers led by Eric Mutua, Tom Ojienda, Nelson Havi and John Khaminwa did not oppose the request by the DPP to close the investigations file for the time being.
Corruption allegations
Wandia directed that the Sh 4 million cash bail deposited to court be refunded to Mwendwa forthwith.
Mwendwa who has since been locked out of the federation offices together with members of his National Executive Committee and federation staff, was arrested and detained at DCI over corruption allegations and fraudulent acquisition of public funds.
The latest development may change the conversation now with several stakeholders having mixed opinions.
Former FKF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lodvick Aduda said: “What reasons were advanced to disband FKF in the first place? FKF has different organs, by disbanding the NEC does it mean disbanding the organisation? The General Assembly and the branches were not disbanded, then which FKF was disbanded”
Mwendwa’s lawyer Nelson Havi said: “If the grounds upon which FKF president Mwendwa and his committee were unlawfully removed from office cannot sustain a criminal prosecution, the Caretaker Committee put in place by Sports CS has no legs to stand on or hands to fall with.”
