•Petra insists that the Nick Mwendwa-led administration should be allowed to carry out its duties until the end of its mandate.
•Petra further dismissed claims that the national office is grappling with a rebellion from disgruntled delegates, adding that the NEC members have a democratic right to voice their concerns soberly.
Image: HANDOUT
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) vice-president Doris Petra has ruled out the possibility of having elections in February.
In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, Petra declared the idea unlawful, insisting that the Nick Mwendwa-led administration should be allowed to carry out its duties until the end of its mandate.
"We were elected in November 2020 and therefore it is not right to ask us to hold the elections in February," Petra said.
"I can easily present my election certificate that shows clearly that I was elected in November. Why would anybody want to curtail our term in office before the due date?" she posed.
Petra further dismissed claims that the national office is grappling with a rebellion from disgruntled delegates, adding that the NEC members have a democratic right to voice their concerns soberly.
"I wouldn't say the members are rebelling simply because they wrote a letter to the national office expressing disapproval of certain things. Each member has a constitutional right to differ in opinion," Petra remarked.
Petra said the federation will convene a National Executive Committee meeting on Saturday to chart the way forward.
Her comments come a day after FKF chief executive officer, Barry Otieno wrote a letter, indicating the local governing body will convene a meeting at its Goal Project headquarters in Kasarani, Nairobi on January 6.
In the letter, Otieno outlined the key components of the day's agenda, asking delegates to equip themselves adequately for fruitful deliberations.
“Dear executives, following consultations with the FKF President, you are hereby invited to a National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Saturday, January 6, 2024. The meeting will take place at the FKF Goal Project offices, commencing at 10:00 am," the letter read in part.
"The agenda of the meeting includes FKF activities, Fifa updates, FKF election matters, FKF financial status, and AOB. Kindly, accept our utmost gratitude for your continued support,” it read further.
The development comes after two disgruntled NEC members took issue with FKF, claiming it has persistently fallen short of its constitutional mandate.
On December 23, the Eastern region NEC member Muriithi Nabea addressed a letter to the director of Africa Fifa member associations Gelson Fernandes, calling out the national office for overlooking pertinent issues.
Nabea, who serves on the FKF technical committee as chairman, castigated the local governing body for blatantly violating the FKF constitution by failing to set dates for the general meetings and NEC meetings, thus contravening Articles 13, 29, and 38(1).
He also bashed the national office for contravening Article 21(2) of the FKF Constitution by rubber-stamping contracts without the approval of the NEC.
Nabea further faulted the process of appointing the national teams' coaching staff without NEC approval, in contravention of Article 39 (J).
He wondered why FKF had not convened a general meeting to table its annual budget or audited books of account for the last three years.
His sentiments were echoed by North Eastern region NEC member Dabar Ahmedqadar who called for urgent action.