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Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen has cleared the air over Engin Firat contract negotiations and salary areas that need clearing should FKF decide to part ways with the Turkish coach.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has all but confirmed that Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat is on his way out following Kenya's failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking in an interview with NTV, Murkomen not only criticized Firat's performance but also warned the new Football Kenya Federation (FKF) leadership that retaining the Turk would mean footing his salary independently.
Murkomen emphasized that the government will no longer cover Firat’s salary, which had been funded through taxpayer money by the Ministry of Sports.
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“The contract clearly states that failure to qualify for AFCON would lead to the coach’s exit. If FKF wants to keep him, they must pay him using their own resources,” he said.
The Sports CS revealed that Firat's contract included government support, but now, under the new FKF regime led by Hussein Mohammed, this arrangement would end. "We will pay him until June, but beyond that, FKF must bear the cost if they decide to retain him,” Murkomen asserted.
Murkomen questioned Firat’s qualifications from the outset, pointing out his lack of a compelling track record. "I do not know why the coach was hired. While at Moldova, he once lost a match 7-0. When I tried to find his credentials, there wasn’t much to show," Murkomen remarked.
Despite these reservations, Murkomen claimed the government had supported Firat wholeheartedly, providing him with a chartered plane for the team’s trip to Cameroon and accommodating their South Africa fixtures.
However, he dismissed Firat’s criticisms regarding the lack of facilities in Kenya -with Zimbabwe themselves qualifying despite playing their matches outside the country.
"Other teams win away matches despite similar challenges," he noted.
The recent FKF elections saw the defeat of former president Nick Mwendwa's faction and the ascension of Hussein Mohammed’s Team Fresh. Murkomen expressed confidence in the new leadership but urged caution in handling Firat’s situation to avoid costly legal battles.
He referenced the 2016 dismissal of coach Bobby Williamson by Mwendwa’s regime, which resulted in FIFA’s Disputes Resolution Chamber awarding Williamson millions in compensation for wrongful termination.
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12:43 - 11.12.2024
'Criticism is key to progress' - Francis Kimanzi advices ex-Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat & new FKF stakeholders
Although there are reports suggesting that Engin Firat has resigned from his role as head coach, Kimanzi, who has been tipped to make a return as coach, has explained why the Turk, as well as the new FKF stakeholders, should learn to embrace criticism.
As the FKF navigates this delicate situation, the focus shifts to finding a coach capable of revitalizing the Harambee Stars. Murkomen’s stern stance and the uncertainty surrounding Firat’s future underscore the need for strategic planning to avoid further setbacks.
With Firat’s tenure seemingly nearing its end, the new FKF administration must weigh its options carefully to ensure a fresh start for Kenyan football without burdening the federation with unnecessary financial liabilities.
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