Outgoing Football Kenya Federation deputy president Doris Petra will be seeking to make history by becoming the first woman to lead the local federation, after officially throwing her weight to the presidential polls set for December 7.
Petra will battle eight other contestants who handed their credentials to the FKF Electoral Board yesterday for approval to vie for the elections at Kandanda House, Nairobi, yesterday.
The experienced football’ administrator’s quest to ascend to the big seat is supported by her boss, incumbent president Nick Mwendwa, who is her running mate.
The duo switched positions to beat the Sports Act 2013 that stipulates, no federation official will be allowed to run for the same office beyond two terms.
Petra executed her business quietly, championing the girls football agenda and grassroot developments, and was never a darling of the media.
Petra is not new in the game, having been an Executive committee member of Rift Valley during Sam Nyamwea’s tenure as federation president from 2012-2016.
Mwendwa, who was in charge of Transfer Manager during Nyamweya's reign, has seen it all, having started by running the Kariobangi Sharks in 2011.
Mwendwa is confident they will win.
“Our competitors are just making noise on social media, and they do not have votes. We have votes. As we speak, we have several seats we have already won unopposed.” Mwendwa said.
Meanwhile, Petra believes they have a strong chance to win but she won’t underrate their opponents.
“We are aiming for victory because we are strong despite the challenges. We have opponents so we can’t say it is a walk on the park, but we are sue of the people we have on the ground,” Petra said.
Petra and Mwendwa will battle immediate former FKF CEO Barry Otieno, Cleophas ‘Toto’ Shimanyula, Sam Ochola, ex-Kenya international Sammy ‘Kempes Owino, Tom Alila, Hussein Mohammed, Chris Amimo and Sam Nyamweya.