Grapevine

FKF's electoral board independence questioned

FKF presidential aspirant Hussein Mohammed (left) with delegates during the launch of his campaign in Nairobi on August 28. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

“Why is the FKF Electoral Board operating from Kandanda House, it’s like the President is contesting but IEBC is based at State House? Which measures have you put in place to ensure Fifa rules and regulations are followed?”

That is one of the questions fielded to Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen by lawmakers when he appeared before the National Assembly on Wednesday.

This came barely a few days after the Hesbon Owilla-led Board was unveiled to oversee the delayed Football Kenya Federation elections in December this year. Other members on the Board are lawyer Marcelene Sande (secretary), former AFC Leopards chairman Dan Mule, communication expert Alfred Nganga, and journalist James Waindi.

Though Murkomen revealed plans of lending an independent facility to the Board and engaging Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to help them in running the elections, the CS was asked to explain the measures his ministry has put in place to ensure no federation official extends the mandate after the expiry of their terms.