Sam Nyamweya has announced his bid to return as the FKF president, following the Football Kenya Federation’s recent Special General Meeting (SGM) which set the stage for upcoming elections.
Mr Nyamweya, who served as FKF president from 2012 to 2016, has articulated his reasons for pursuing the presidency, stating that he wants to complete the plans he had initiated.
He has further pledged to present his blueprint and team in the coming days.
“I am offering my candidature as president of FKF to complete what I had started in 2012-2016,” Nyamweya said on Tuesday. “It is worth noting that I successfully served one term, and constitutionally I am allowed to stand for another term.”
The seat is currently held by Nick Mwendwa, who is ineligible to run for a third term.
Mr Nyamweya, who aims to revive struggling Kenyan football, outlined his plans, highlighting that his top priority is to make the men’s and women’s Premier Leagues autonomous and managed by a professional company.
The ex-FKF president has several other priorities.
He aims to streamline football officiating and strengthen the national teams while committing to criminalising match-fixing and manipulation.
Additionally, he plans to collaborate with county governments to enhance local leagues and work with the national government to support grassroots football.
Ensuring the success of the 2027 Afcon championships is also a key goal.
Mr Nyamweya intends to appoint professional advisors to advance the sport and source sponsorships for top national leagues and teams. He places high importance on advocating for a National Football Fund and establishing a national youth development program.
Mr Nyamweya also seeks to foster closer relations with Caf and Fifa, rebuild football infrastructure, and enforce zero tolerance for corruption in football management.
Mr Nyamweya stated on Tuesday that, with the SGM concluded, it was time to focus on the elections and chart a new path for Kenyan football.
He stated, “There is no perfect document, but we have a way forward that has been approved by the supreme body of the Federation. I am therefore appealing to the football family to let bygones be bygones and look forward to the elections.”
As Mr Nyamweya returns to vie for the FKF presidency, it is worth noting that his previous tenure was marred by allegations of corruption and embezzlement of funds, which were contested in court.
It was also a period where Kenyan football struggled; ranging from money being unavailable for teams to delayed payments for players among others.
On March 21, 2017, the FKF National Executive Committee slapped Mr Nyamweya with a 10-year ban from all football-related activities in Kenya, accusing him of acting contrary to FIFA, CAF and FKF statutes.
He also faced accusations of withdrawing Sh2.5 million from the federation’s account contrary to the law – monies meant for FKF Aberdares Branch.
There were also allegations that he diverted Sh48.9 million in development aid funds from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
Mr Nyamweya successfully fought these accusations in court and bounced back after the High Court declared his ten-year suspension illegal.
Constitutional court judge Justice Chacha Mwita said in his ruling that the decision by the FKF National Executive Committee meeting held on March 21, 2017, was unlawful, irrational, and mischievous.
“The decision that was communicated to Caf, Fifa and Cecafa is null and void as Nyamweya was not given an opportunity to defend himself as required by the law,” the Judge stated.
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