The World Football governing body, FIFA, has threatened to impose a ban on Kenya from all football-related activities. This follows what FIFA claims to be third party interference in the affairs of the Football Kenya Federation and in particular the ongoing electoral process.
In a letter sent to the FKF Secretary-General Barry Otieno, FIFA noted that they have information on a complaint filed by a local stakeholder against the Federation to the Sports disputes Tribunal seeking to annul the adoption of the electoral code and the nomination of the election board.
FIFA strongly opposes the setting of FootballFederation disputes in law courts. ART 69 of the FKF statues states 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 Statues or binding legal provisions specifically provide or stipulate recourse to ordinary courts.
In the letter, FIFA warned that a violation of the said principle could result in sanction as provided for in the FIFA statues which include a possible suspension.
Jared Ondieki, an FKF sub-branch official from Nyamira and George Mwaura had filed cases at the SDT and High Court respectively seeking orders to stop the upcoming elections until the issues they are raising are addressed – mainly the composition of the board and the electoral code that was adopted during the FKF Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Although the petitioners are different, they presented a similar case and want Professor Edwin Wamukoya and Elynah Shiveka, the polls Chairman and member respectively, ejected over what they term as a conflict of interest. Wamukoya has in the past sat in the FKF Appeals Committee while Shiveka is the SDT vice-chairperson.
November 5th has been set as the hearing date for the petition.