League body accuses local federation of meddling in its affairs

Kenya Premier League and the local federation are locked in a dispute over the management of the top flight football league.

On Wednesday, KPL CEO Jack Oguda sent a terse statement to the media accusing the local federation of “disrespecting the rule of law.”

The statement followed a three-hour meeting by KPL’s executive committee at its head office in Westlands. “Members expressed their determination to resist any attempts by non-judicial bodies (involved with football) to undermine or usurp the role and duties of independent judicial bodies,” the statement said.

Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee and Independent Disciplinary and Appeals Committee handle disputes in the league. IDCC was constituted by KPL and IDAC by the local federation.

The latest feud between KPL and the federation revolves around last week’s abandoned league match between Tusker and Muhoroni Youth.

Muhoroni abandoned the tie after realising Tusker had fielded 12 men.

KPL awarded Tusker - who were leading 2-1 at the time of abandonment -  maximum points after finding Muhoroni guilty of the abandonment.

But the federation overruled the decision and awarded the match to Muhoroni and fined Tusker coach Francis Kimanzi and his assistant.

Sources familiar with the deliberations at KPL’s meeting on Wednesday said the league body has resolved to uphold its stand on the matter.

Weeks ago, the federation also overruled KPL’s order that a botched league match between AFC Leopards and Sony Sugar be played in Awendo, saying the venue proposed by league body for the match was unsuitable.

KPL had earlier cleared Awendo to host the match.