NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 30 – Football Stakeholders in the
country have called for an urgent and sober resolution to the current impasse
surrounding the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections which have been twice
quashed by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT).

The initial polls scheduled last year were cancelled by the
John Ohaga led tribunal over an improper electoral code and what the tribunal
termed as an irregularly constituted electoral board.

The Federation went back to the drawing board to right the
wrongs pointed out by the tribunal and organized fresh elections last month.

While all the processes were ticked on by the tribunal in
the second hearing, an issue was raised over the eligibility rules in the
electoral code which was said to be discriminative and tailored to fit the
incumbent, Nick Mwendwa, the elections being trashed again.

On the second bite of the cherry, Ohaga had written to FIFA
asking for the formation of a normalization committee with only Mwendwa and
Secretary General Barry Otieno in office with the rest of the executive shown
the door.

But FIFA in a response last week stated the status quo will
remain while talks will be organized between Mwendwa, Ohaga and Sports Cabinet
Secretary Amina Mohammed to find a lasting solution.

While the wait for the talks continues, stakeholders in the
country have called for an urgent solution to the impasse, each asking for a
sober solution to shield Kenya from any potential sanctions from the world governing
body.

“For sure FIFA will ban Kenya if we do not follow their directive.
We have no choice but to do what they have asked. That will not be the best
thing for us at this time because we will have nothing to play for. Some officials
do not care whether we are banned or not as they only concerned about their own
interest,” Sofapaka owner Elly Kalekwa said, in a message amplified by several
KPL clubs.

The same sentiments were shared by National Super League
clubs and referees most of who are affiliated to FIFA.

“The biggest stakeholder is the player. Unfortunatley, if
this stand-off is not resolved amicably, they will suffer in terms of loss of
income and annulment of contracts. Football requires stability to attract sponsors
and anything that disrupts such stability we must resist,” said Johnstone
Sakwa, the NSL governing council chair.

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