By Shadrack Nyakoe
The National Assembly Committee on Sports convened yesterday, October 5, 2024, to discuss the eligibility of outgoing Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa to contest as a running mate to his current deputy, Doris Petra, in the upcoming FKF elections set for December 7.
FKF Electoral Board Chairman Hesbon Owila clarified that the board reviewed all legal provisions and confirmed Mwendwa’s eligibility to run as Petra’s deputy, despite his two-term limit as president. “Article 37 of the Federation’s constitution is clear that the president, upon completing their term, can run for any other seat,” Owila explained.
This clarification follows earlier statements from Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who initially asserted that Mwendwa was ineligible to serve as a deputy, citing moral concerns. Murkomen emphasized, “It is not morally good to serve as the Federation’s president, then later run as a deputy.” However, he did not provide a legal basis for this claim, and the FKF constitution and Sports Act were found not to restrict Mwendwa from contesting as a deputy.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi and other committee members questioned the board’s decision to clear Mwendwa, citing the completion of his presidential terms. Yet, the Committee’s legal officer confirmed that Article 37 legally permits Mwendwa to run as a deputy.
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Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna suggested moving forward from the eligibility issue, now that legal clarity had been provided. Committee members, including Busia Women Representative Catherine Omanyo and MP Robert Basil, urged the FKF Electoral Board to ensure a fair and transparent election process.
Owila assured the Committee that measures were in place to ensure the elections were credible and devoid of irregularities. He added that returning officers had been trained and that a list of eligible delegates would be presented to the Committee within two days.