Election Board: Nick Mwendwa free to vie as running mate in FKF polls

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) outgoing president Nick Mwendwa is eligible to contest as a running mate in the forthcoming elections, MPs have been told.

FKF Electoral Board chairman Hesbon Owila made the revelation when he met the National Assembly Sports Committee.

Mwendwa, whose mandatory two-term limit is coming to an end, has been cleared to run as the running mate of his current deputy, Doris Petra in the December 7, 2024 elections.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had differed with Owila during a separate appearance before the Committee.

The CS was before the House team to shed light on the eligibility of Mwendwa to be fielded as number two to Petra.

Murkomen and Owila gave different opinions to the committee during the session chaired by Kamau Wamacukuru (Kabete).

The CS, who was the first to appear before the Committee, told MPs that the law barred Mwendwa from deputising Petra in the polls.

“The law is clear that anybody picked as a running mate should have the same qualifications as the presidential candidate so that, in case anything happens to the president, he can take over the office,” he added.

 “It is not morally good to serve as the Federation’s president, then during elections, you present yourself as a deputy.”

The CS pointed out that Mwendwa had completed his term as required by the federation constitution, noting that it would be illegal for him to be on the Petra ticket for the presidency.

He added: “I have had a conversation with Mwendwa on this matter and we agreed he should not run.”

His sentiments were supported by Suba South MP Caroli Omondi who questioned why the Electoral Board cleared him to run.

“Why did the Electoral Board clear Mwendwa in the first place when it is clear that he had cleared his term,” he added.

But Owila said the law allowed Mwendwa to contest as a running mate in the elections.

“Article 37 of the Federation’s constitution is clear that the president, upon clearing his term, is free to run for any other seat,” he explained.

He noted that the Board had not committed any mistake when it cleared Mwendwa to deputise Petra in the elections.

The matter was put to rest after the committee’s legal officer Christine Odhiambo clarified to MPs that the law allowed Mwendwa to run as a deputy.