FKF Presidential Aspirant Raises Doubts On Elections Transparency

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential aspirant Hussein Mohammed has raised serious concerns about the composition and functioning of the FKF Elections Board, which was unveiled on Monday 23rd to oversee elections by December 15.

The five-member board, tasked with conducting the upcoming elections, has come under scrutiny from Mohammed, who questions whether it can deliver a transparent, free, and fair process.

In a strongly worded statement, Mohammed reiterated his support for a credible election but expressed doubts about the board’s ability to remain neutral.

“We are acutely aware of past and ongoing attempts to manipulate the voter register by certain individuals within the FKF Secretariat. This practice cannot be allowed to continue. The voter register must be made public, transparent, and safeguarded from tampering to ensure that every eligible voter has a fair say in this election,” said Mohammed in his statement.

He also argued that the board’s impartiality could be compromised by its operation from Kandanda House, the current FKF headquarters, where some officials seeking re-election are based.

“The FKF Electoral Board must demonstrate its independence by operating from a neutral location, entirely detached from Kandanda House. This is crucial to ensure the electoral process remains free from undue influence by current FKF officials, many of whom are also contenders,” he added.

Mohammed has called for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Kenya’s national election body, to oversee the FKF elections, citing their expertise and impartiality.

“To guarantee impartiality and professionalism, we strongly urge the Electoral Board to engage the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to oversee the elections. IEBC has the technical expertise and experience necessary to ensure a credible and transparent process,” he added.

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He also emphasized that any disputes related to the voter register or electoral issues should be addressed locally rather than centrally in Nairobi, to empower football stakeholders at the grassroots level.

“All voter register disputes and other electoral grievances must be resolved at the grassroots level, where they originate, rather than in Nairobi. This approach will empower local football stakeholders and ensure their concerns are addressed fairly and promptly,” he said.

Mohammed further stressed the importance of adhering to the Sports Act 2013 and the FKF constitution.

“To enhance accessibility and fairness, we demand that polling stations for branch grassroots elections be located at county headquarters. This will allow football delegates and voters to participate in the process without facing unnecessary logistical challenges and intimidation,” he concluded.

The FKF Elections Board, chaired by Hesbon Owilla with Merceline Sande as Secretary, also includes James Waindi, president of the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK), Dan Mule, a former AFC Leopards chairman, and Alfred Ng’ang’a.

Despite Mohammed’s reservations, the board has assured stakeholders of its commitment to a credible election process. Owilla defended the decision to operate from Kandanda House, stating it complied with existing regulations.

“Anyone who wants to interact with all the other possibilities will reach the very same conclusion—that if the regulations provide for that location, the board has a responsibility to ensure that it serves the interests of all aspirants without any undue influence,” said Owilla.

The board is expected to release a comprehensive roadmap for the elections in the coming days, providing details on procedures and timelines to guarantee transparency and effective communication with all stakeholders.

Nonetheless, Mohammed has vowed to hold the board accountable if it fails to uphold the principles of transparency, fairness, and integrity.