KENYAN FOOTBALL STAKEHOLDERS SOUND ALARM OVER FKF CRISIS, RISK TO AFCON 2027 HOSTING.
BY NJOKI KARANJA
A coalition of key football stakeholders issued a grave warning regarding the ongoing leadership crisis within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), highlighting its potential to jeopardize Kenya’s hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027. The press conference, attended by elected FKF officials, referees, coaches, and football administrators, underscored the urgent need for reform to safeguard the future of Kenyan football.
Kenya, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, secured the rights to host AFCON 2027, a monumental opportunity for the nation. However, this opportunity is now under threat due to internal turmoil within the FKF, characterized by a lack of transparency and a pervasive culture of intimidation and impunity at the federation's top levels.
The crisis centers on overdue national elections and numerous legal challenges, including a court case that has halted the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Stakeholders accused some current FKF officials of using litigation to derail the scheduled elections, further complicating the situation as the terms of office for all elected delegates at the branch level are set to expire on September 18, 2024.
"The possibility of holding free, fair, and credible elections is getting slimmer by the day," stated a representative. "A constitutional crisis looms if we fail to meet the critical milestones outlined in the FKF constitution."
The failure to hold an AGM and establish a clear roadmap for upcoming elections is not merely procedural but a direct threat to Kenya’s AFCON 2027 hosting status. FIFA has already issued a formal warning about a potential suspension of the FKF due to ongoing conflicts within the federation.
The stakeholders expressed profound concern that the country might lose this "golden opportunity" due to the "selfishness of a few greedy, incompetent, and power-hungry individuals" within the FKF leadership. They decried the federation’s culture of intimidation and violations of fundamental human rights against those seeking transparency and accountability.
"We cannot afford to let impunity rob us of this opportunity. The world is watching, and it would be disgraceful if Kenya missed out on hosting AFCON 2027 due to the actions of a few individuals," the statement read.
The stakeholders called on all parties, including delegates, clubs, the Government of Kenya, FIFA, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), to take decisive action to prevent a small group of rogue individuals from holding the country hostage. They praised Dr. Paul Tergat, chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK), for his initiative in bringing together football stakeholders to resolve the crisis. However, the FKF’s top officials boycotting this event only confirmed their resistance to change.
"This is the time to put the country first. We must unite, demand transparency, and work together to secure our place as hosts of AFCON 2027," the statement concluded. "Good governance, integrity, transparency, and accountability are our irreducible minimums. Kenya deserves nothing less."
The football community now waits anxiously for decisive action to restore integrity to the FKF and secure Kenya's hosting rights for AFCON 2027. The stakes are high, and the world is watching.
