Lower-tier NSL League ties were also put on hold
Footballer Kenya Federation Caretaker Committee Head of Secretariat Lindah Oguttu (centre) addresses a press conference flanked by Ali Amour (right), a member of the Caretaker Committee, and the Secretariat's secretary Michael Muchemi on November 20, 2021 at Kenya National Library.
What you need to know:
- With the big two - Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, and other teams in the league backing the dissolution of FKF, the caretaker committee should bring tangible change.
- The Ringera team needs to create an environment that will fully exploit football’s capacity for leisure and employment, in addition to offering avenues to enhance national cohesion.
After a football caretaker committee appointed by the Sports ministry over 10 days ago took office, it suspended all top-tier leagues for two weeks, but surprisingly some National Super League (NSL) clubs have continued defying the directive, bringing confusion into the sport.
The drama is needless, because the communication was clear.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disbanded Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and appointed a caretaker committee under retired Judge Aaron Ringera to run the sport for six months.
The committee is mandated to handle football matters until new office bearers are elected to replace Nick Mwendwa’s administration.
The embattled federation boss is facing charges of misuse of public funds in court. The court freed him on a Sh4 million cash bail.
After taking over, the interim committee temporarily suspended the domestic leagues to work on regulations, but the FKF has insisted the matches will go on as planned.
This has caused confusion with some teams travelling for long distances only to return home without playing.
Newly promoted SS Asaad, Naivas FC, Fortune Sacco, Mwatate United and Muhoroni Youth are among teams that have ignored the caretaker committee’s directive of stopping the fixtures.
Poor management should be addressed right from the grassroots. Disbanding of a federation has happed before, but the grassroots leadership remain the same.
The Ringera committee should ensure that poor leaders are wiped out during the elections.
Kenyans are hoping that with the experienced brains like JJ Masiga, John “Bobby” Ogola, Herbet Mwachio, Richard Omwela and Robin Toskin in the Ringera committee, the country can make progressive strides for the better.
With the big two - Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, and other teams in the league backing the dissolution of FKF, the caretaker committee should bring tangible change.
The Ringera team needs to create an environment that will fully exploit football’s capacity for leisure and employment, in addition to offering avenues to enhance national cohesion.
