BY GEORGE AJWALA
Former Harambee stars captain Victor Wanyama has endorsed Hussein Mohammed and Mc Donald Mariga’s candidacy in the upcoming FKF elections and believes the duo will return Kenyan football to the glory days.
Wanyama was speaking via a live video during Mariga’s unveiling at Kempinski Hotel as Hussein’s running mate.
The Major League Soccer Montreal Impact midfielder made it clear that his decision to back Hussein is tied to his belief that change is needed within the federation.
“I’m here to support the candidacy of Hussein Mohammed and McDonald Mariga. Mariga is a former professional footballer, who has won so many accolades including the Champions League, Serie A. Mariga has had great exposure and will replicate the same if elected," said Wanyama Extreme sports CEO Hussein Mohammed who has helped many footballers turn pro through the Super 8 tournament, emphasized that his choice of Mariga was driven by their shared passion and ambition to revive Kenyan football.
“In the quest to restore Kenya’s football glory, I looked at the struggles we have faced and the heights we are yet to scale. And I feel Mariga matches my ambition and that’s why I settled on him.”
The two brothers are arguably the most decorated Kenyan footballers having played for Tottenham and Italian giants Inter Milan respectively.
They have sponsored local tournaments before and also opened a football academy in Busia that is run in a European structures style.
Wanyama’s teammate at Tottenham Moussa Sissoko and former South African international Benni Mc Carthy also endorsed Hussein and Mariga’s candidacy for the big FKF seat.
“Former footballers deserve to run the game in Africa to ensure development in structures and improvement of the game to the highest levels,” said Mc Carthy.
The brothers are part of the Wanyama football dynasty, led by their father Noah Wanyama, who played for Harambee stars and AFC Leopards in the 80’s.
Their brothers Thomas Wanyama and Sylvester Wanyama also played Sofapaka and Sony Sugar respectively in the KPL.
During the unveiling, Mariga said they would improve on the player’s welfare and financial support to ensure they are comfortable under the fresh start umbrella.
“To develop football, we must engage all stakeholders, including sponsors. Our league needs proper backing to grow,” Mariga said.
“Making it as a footballer in Kenya is tough due to poor management. Back in the day, things were different some scholarships and opportunities are now lacking. We need to restore that.”
Others who endorsed Hussein and Mariga’s new start are former Kenyan international Innocent Mutiso, AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda Kibera MP Hon Peter Orero and Kenyan international Essie Akida among others Apart from Mohammed and Mariga, immediate former FKF CEO Barry Otieno, FKF Vice president Doris Petra, former FKF Chairman Sam Nyamweya, former KPL CEO Jack Oguda, Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas “Toto” Shumanyula and Gor Mahia CEO Sam Ocholla are also in the race.
Others who are seeking to replace incumbent Nick Mwendwa are former Kenyan international Sammy “Kempes” Owino, Tom Alila and Lodvick Aduda.
The FKF electoral board has confirmed that the final list of candidates for both county and national positions will be published on November 2, with the presidential vote scheduled for December 7.