It is a sigh of relief for contestants in the upcoming Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections as no eligible candidate will be barred from contesting.An insider at the federation insists they are not keen to lock out anyone from contesting despite a tough electoral code that has set out eligibility criteria that would have affected some top candidates.##NAJAVA_MECA_8284382##“We are keen to have a smooth electoral process and therefore no one will be locked out from contesting. We have our numbers and are confident of winning so there is no need to block anyone,” said our source who asked not to be named.Three days ago, the federation wrote a letter to Muranga Seal confirming that Hussein Mohammed who is contesting for the top seat is eligible to attend theSpecial General Meeting on Saturday.Harambee Stars midfielder win away from Europa League stage actionConcerns were raised in the letter by FKF Secretary General Barry Otieno who pointed out that Mohammed had been registered as a member of Muranga Seal just last month.This would have locked him out of contesting as the electoral code clearly specifies that candidates for the office of the President and Vice-President shall have been in active football.##NAJAVA_MECA_8291072##This means that one has to be registered as a NEC member, committee member, referee, assistant referee, coach trainer and any other person responsible for technical, medical or administrative matters in FKF, League or Club or as a player for three of the last four years before being proposed as a candidate.Having been a member of Muranga Seal just last month, Mohammed would have been locked out.Heavy Confederation Cup defeat reportedly costs Kenyan coach his job in TanzaniaFormer Kenyan international Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino who has also declared his intention to go for the top seat also would not have also qualified.But any decision to lock out any contestant would have put the federation on a collision course with the sports act.The act in article 46 (6) states, “all national sports organisations registered under this act shall be open to the public in their leadership, activities and membership”.
