adminNAIROBI. – Kenyan Sports Minister, Amina Mohamed, has accused embattled Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa of breaking into the federation’s offices near Kasarani Stadium.
In a statement dated yesterday, Amina denied knowledge of Mwendwa’s entry to the premises and the subsequent revival of the defunct FKF.
“My attention has been drawn to a break-in at the FKF offices at Kasarani which was led by officials who were legally removed following an inspection by the Office of the Registrar,” the statement read in part.
“The decision by the Ministry of Sports, Culture & Heritage on November 11, 2021, has since been upheld by the Ruling of the High Court of Kenya on May 10, 2022,” Amina added, reiterating that FKF Transition Committee was still in charge of football activities in the country.
Amina went on to list down the reasons that led to the disbursement of FKF, a decision which saw FIFA ban Kenya from participating in international matches.
Among them was that FKF misappropriated funds advanced to FKF by the government, FIFA, CAF, and other sponsors.
The Mwendwa-led commission, she argued also failed to submit annual audit reports to the sports registrar and did not adhere to the Sports Act and other relevant laws.
“FKF also refused to amend the FKF Constitution in line with the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the Sports Act, Sports Registrar Regulations and any other relevant law, was un-procedural in the hiring and sacking of coaches and resisted registering County Sports Associations and stuck to non-registered regional organizations,” Amina accused FKF.
Other allegations she cited, in her press release, were, objection to the registration of FKF county and national officials illegally elected in 2019 and 2020 respectively, the irregular appointment of board and council members, non-disclosure of grants from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and disparity in rewarding male and female teams and clubs.
Mwendwa, FKF CEO Barry Otieno arrived at Kandanda House in the company of police officers.
They found the entrance of the compound locked and had to disable the security mechanism at the main gate.
Mwendwa led FKF Vice President Doris Petra, Secretary General Barry Otieno FKF’s Head of Integrity Michael Kamure among others to the facility which had been locked after their unceremonious removal from office.
Together with other FKF National Executive Members, Mwendwa was hounded out of office on November 11, 2021 by Sports CS Amina Mohamed after an audit on the federation’s accounts alleged misuse of funds. Having been charged in court with four counts of fraud, Mwendwa – in a November 29 letter addressed to FKF NEC – said he had transferred his functions to his deputy Petra as he sought to clear his name.
Mohamed appointed a FKF Caretaker Committee for an initial six-month tenure before it mutated into the Transition Committee. Amina extended the Transition Committee’s term for two months on August 16.
It is not yet clear the fate of the Committee as FKF plans to return to office. – Kenyans.co.ke/Nation.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter