Former Harambee Starlets coach Godfrey “Solo” Oduor finds himself entangled in a legal and financial dispute with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). The controversy took a dramatic turn when police, allegedly under instructions from FKF on Tuesday, arrested Coach Solo after he allegedly refused to refund a substantial sum mistakenly transferred to his personal bank account.The saga heightened when Coach Solo’s legal representatives, Hussein and Omar Advocates, penned a letter to FKF detailing the events leading to the eventual arrest. The advocates expressed their client’s concerns regarding the alleged erroneous transfer of funds and the subsequent demand for repayment.According to the legal letter dated 2nd January, Coach Solo, employed by FKF since 2019, outlined a timeline of his coaching assignments and corresponding entitlements. The letter states that he was due a total of Kenya Shillings 1,900,000/= for services rendered from 2019 to July 2023.The dispute escalated when, on 22nd December 2023, Coach Solo received communication from FKF’s finance department, led by Ms. Christine Ojode indicating approval for the payment of his pending dues. However, the letter alleges that after receiving Kenya Shillings 1,200,000/= on 23rd December 2023, Coach Solo was later informed that the funds were sent to him erroneously.Former FIFA referee David Gikonyo slams FKF, alleges mistreatment and intimidation of Kenyan referees##NAJAVA_MECA_7805760##The letter claims that FKF CEO, Mr. Barry Otieno, initially assured Coach Solo that the funds were rightfully his. However, the stance changed when Ms. Christine Ojode, another FKF representative, asserted that the transfer was a mistake. Coach Solo’s advocates argue that the communication regarding the alleged erroneous transfer was informal and lacked formal documentation.FKF governance crisis deepens as key members lodge complaints with FIFAFurthermore, the letter accuses FKF of improper communication, stating that Coach Solo has been subjected to harassment from Ms. Christine Ojode and FKF CEO / General Secretary Mr. Barry Otieno, who have allegedly pressured him to refund the amount. Coach Solo fears that complying with the refund request might jeopardize his entitlement to pending salaries and remuneration.In light of these developments, Coach Solo’s legal team has informed FKF and relevant authorities of the unfolding events through the legal letter. The letter, was also addressed to the Cabinet Secretary, the Director of Criminal Investigations, and the Officer Commanding Kasarani Police Station where Solo was briefly held, seeks to bring attention to the coach’s concerns and the circumstances surrounding his arrest.The coach was released on a cash bail of Ksh 50,000.Full Letter from HUSSEIN & OMAR ADVOCATES LLPHUSSEIN & OMARADVOCATES LLPHEOOUR REF: HO/GEN/LIT/24YOUR REF: TBAFOOTBALL KENYA FEDERATIONP.O. BOX 49911-00100NAIROBIDear Sir,Advocates, Commissioners for Oaths, Notaries public, Patent and trademark agents, Legal consultantsRE: PURPOTED MISTAKEN TRANSFER OF FUNDS BY FOOTBALL FEDERATION OF KENYAThe above matter refers.We act for Mr. Godfrey Oduor Otieno (hereinafter referred to as (“Our Client”) under the employ of Football Kenya Federation (herein after referred to as “FKF”). On our clientinstructions, we wish to bring the following to your attention regarding the above subject matter:1. In 2019, Our Client was appointed as the Assistant Coach for the under 17 Boys National Team. Our Client took up three assignments in Egypt, Burundi andTanzania and based on these three assignments, Our Client was entitled to a remuneration of Kshs. 300, 000/= (Kenya Shillings Three Hundred Thousand) from FKF.2. On 12th April 2021 Our Client was appointed as the Assistant Coach for Harambee Starlets vide a letter and press statement both dated 12m April 2021. Our Client was also appointed to take up the role of Assistant Coach Ladies under 20 within the same period. While holding the two roles our Client took up four Assignments:.i Versus South Sudan Home (Starlets)ii. Versus South Sudan Away (Starlets)iti. Versus Uganda Home (Under 20)iv. Versus Uganda Away (Under 20) 3. Our Client was further appointed to take up the role of Head Coach Harambee Starlets commencing the month of April 2023. That Our Client was the Head Coach of the Harambee Starlets for a period of four months till July 2023. In Our Client’s capacity as Head Coach his remuneration was monthly based and not assignment based. As the Head Coach of the Harambee Starlets Our Client was entitled to a net monthly salary of Kenya Shillings Three Hundred Thousand (Kshs. 300,000/= per month.4. At the end of July 2023, Our Client was informed that the team’s preferred position was that it proceeds with a female head coach, thus replacing him as the HeadCoach Harambee Starlets. We respectfully parted ways, but FKF was yet to pay Our Clients dues from 2019 to July 2023 as tabulated hereinabove, totaling to Kenya Shillings One Million Nine Hundred Thousand (Ksh. 1,900,00/=)5. On 22nd December 2023, Our Client received phone call from Ms. Christine Moraa, finance department FKF, who informed him that she had received instructions topay his dues. She requested Our Client to send his account details which he did via WhatsApp.6. On 23rd December 2023, Our Client contacted Ms. Christine Moraa to follow up on the payment of his pending dues and she informed Our Client that the signatories had not yet approved the release of the funds.7. The funds reached Our Client’s account after the same was approved by signatories as previously indicated by Ms. Christine Moraa via her whatsapp message on 23rd December 2023. Our Client received Kenya Shillings One Million8. Two Hundred Thousand (Kshs. 1,200,000/=). The FKF at this point had an outstanding balance of Kenya Shillings Seven Hundred Thousand (Kshs. 700,000/=) After the funds were released to Our Client’s account, he received communication from Ms. Christine Ojode on 24th December 2023 who informed him that the funds were sent to him erroneously. Our Client inquired about the same and Mr. Barry Otieno, the CEO of FKF, assured him that the funds were his. He reverted to Ms. Christine Ojode and informed her of the CEO’s stand. Subsequently, Our Client received communication from Mr. Barry Otieno abandoning his previous position and confirming the position of Ms. Christine Ojode.9. Our Client informed them that he received the funds through the correct channels, that being FKF’s accounts and further he was entitled to the funds. He furtherhighlighted that in fact, he even had an outstanding balance of Kenya Shillings Seven Hundred Thousand (Kshs. 700,000/=) that was yet to be paid by FKF.10. It is our position that no formal information was made to Our Client regarding any erroneous payments. He was not in receipt of any official letter on the FKF’sWhatsApp messages from Ms. Christine Ojode and Mr. Barry Otieno asking him to refund the amounts.11. It is surprising and improper that the FKF would make such a communication in such a n informal manner.12. Further, our client has been receiving numerous informal communications from Ms. Christine Ojode and Mr. Barry Otieno FKF, harassing him to refund theamounts owed to him.13. Our Client is worried that should he comply with the request of Ms. Christine Ojode and Mr. Barry Otieno, he will lose all his pending salaries and remunerationto which he is entitled to. Our client is further worried about the ongoing harassment on the purported erroneous transfers.14. Therefore, Our Client wishes to inform FKF and the relevant offices copied to the letter herein of the events that have unfolded as outlined hereinabove.Yours sincerelyAjarpooHussein and Omar Advocates The Cabinet SecretaryKenya National Library Services HeadquartersUpper HillP.O. Box 49849-00100NAIROBITehriatiallsretary ServciesHeadquaretrsUpper HillP.O. Box 49849-00100NAIROBITHE DIRECTORDirector of Criminal InvestigationsMazingira House Kiambu RoadP.O Box 30036-00100NAIROBITHE OFFICER COMMANDING POLICE STATIONKasarani Police StationNAIROBI
