FKF boss Nick Mwendwa ends speculation over his candidature for forthcoming elections

Photo Credit: Nick Mwendwa

FKF boss Nick Mwendwa ends speculation over his candidature for forthcoming elections

Joel Omotto 13:55 - 28.09.2024

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa has declared his stand over his candidature for the December 7 elections.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has confirmed that he will be on the ballot during the December 7 elections amid the legal hurdles placed in his way.

Mwendwa has served two terms since his first election in 2016 but he is keen for a fresh mandate in the forthcoming polls, despite the Sports Registrar declaring him ineligible to contest early this year.

As per the Registrar’s directive in February, the mandate of the current office holders ends after this year’s elections after serving two four-year terms as per the Sports Act 2023, but Mwendwa has expressed his interest to run, citing the FKF Constitution as the one that gives him the leeway.

“I will be on the ballot,” Mwendwa told Passion Sports when queried over his position on the polls.

The FKF boss is believed to be relying on the federation’s constitution which was revised in 2017 with those in office at the time saying it gave them an opportunity to seek a fresh mandate even though the interpretation is still subject to debate.

Mwendwa’s declaration will likely raise questions over his eligibility amid a push to have him and his executive barred from this year’s polls from different quarters.

It comes days after Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told Parliament that officials of various sports associations will not be allowed more than two terms in office.

“Officials must resign after serving their full term. We cannot have someone occupying an office for more than eight years. They can be considered for other roles, but they must go when their term ends,” Murkomen told the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The FKF presidential race has attracted Extreme Sports CEO Hussein Mohammed, ex-Gor Mahia star Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino, Gor Mahia secretary general Sam Ochola, former Harambee Stars midfielder McDonald Mariga among others.

The Electoral Board set to oversee the upcoming polls was unveiled on Monday before it rolled out a roadmap that will lead to the national election on December 7.

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