- Nyamweya said that the meeting is pivotal in the governance of football in the country.
- He said the meeting is a platform to address critical issues affecting the sport and to set a clear roadmap for the long-awaited elections.
Image: FILE
Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Sam Nyamweya has urged stakeholders to allow the federation’s Special General Meeting (SGM) to go on as planned.
In a statement on Monday, Nyamweya said that the meeting is pivotal in the governance of football in the country.
He said the meeting is a platform to address critical issues affecting the sport and to set a clear roadmap for the long-awaited elections.
Nyamweya said the SGM also allows for collective dialogue that fosters unity and collaboration among different factions within Kenyan football including timelines, eligibility criteria for candidates, and procedures that will be followed during the electoral process.
“The significance of allowing this SGM to proceed cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and democratic processes within Kenyan football," Nyamweya said.
“One of the primary functions of the SGM is to establish governance structures that are essential for effective leadership in football. It also provides an opportunity for stakeholders, including club representatives, officials, and other relevant parties, to come together and discuss key issues facing the sport.”
Saturday, August 24, has been set as the date for the Special General Meeting.
His remarks come in the wake of court orders stopping the SGM severally.
The federation was set to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in March but a court order sought by journalist Milton Nyakundi stopped the meeting.
A second AGM was to be held in September but a court in July stopped it again.
Nyamweya said Kenyan football has faced numerous challenges over recent years, including governance crises, financial mismanagement, and allegations of corruption.
He urged the FKF to ensure the SGM comes up with an all-inclusive election where all will be allowed to participate as long as they meet the criteria, including registered County Football Associations (CFA) despite applying for FKF membership and were never admitted.
The former FKF boss noted that if the is not allowed to proceed, Kenya faces the risk of sanctions from the world football governing body FIFA.
Nyamweya said Kenyans are tired of unending court battles and want to see football return to its former glory.
"I call upon lovers of football to let the federation proceed with the SGM to set the ball rolling for the next elections," he said.
During vetting, the new Sports Cabinet Secretary Murkomen vowed to deal with rogue sports federation officials.
He said the government would not finance any association that does not adhere to the Sports Act.
"I am going to request those people who have served for more than eight years in sports federations to recuse themselves and allow those with energy to serve in those federations,” he said.
"We will not finance any sports federation that does not adhere to the Sports Act and does not conduct regular elections."