A total of six candidates attended the second Football Kenya Federation Presidential Debate, where they had the opportunity to share their visions for the nation’s football future.Extreme Sports CEO Hussein Mohammed, who was absent in the first debate, joined other candidates Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino, Sam Ocholla, Barry Otieno, Tom Alila, and Cleophas Shimanyula.Doris Petra and Chris Amimo opted to skip the forum to share their visions ahead of the Saturday 7 December polls.##NAJAVA_MECA_8466832##Key topics of discussion included player welfare, integrity, and league sponsorship.Former Harambee Stars player Tobias Ocholla, who was part of the audience, kicked off the debate by asking how the candidates would address the sponsorship challenges that have impacted Kenyan football.Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula emphasized that his administration would enhance transparency to attract investors and create a supportive environment for those willing to invest in Kenyan football.##NAJAVA_MECA_8466792##Gor Mahia Secretary General, Ocholla highlighted the need for transparency, stating, “Once I’m in office, I will ensure that the KPL is reconstituted, and teams have the right to manage all TV rights and sponsorship issues so that sponsorship funds are fully transparent.”Former FKF CEO Barry Otieno pledged to tackle issues “beyond the pitch” by ensuring the league is well-marketed and accessible to grassroots communities.Suspended FIFA referee linked to alleged fixing of Gor Mahia’s matchSammy ‘Kempes’ Owino promised to build a strong brand to attract sponsors and restore lost trust in FKF among potential investors.”We need to raise the standards of our KPL because, without that, no one will be drawn to our league. We need to raise its entertainment value,” Kempes said.Former Nyanza NEC member Tom Alila stressed the need for governance reform.If elected, he said he would begin by amending the FKF Constitution to give more young people opportunities in football, thereby fostering stability.Extreme Sports CEO Hussein Mohammed promised to restore the game’s value and attract the corporate world, drawing inspiration from his grassroots Super 8 football organization.The issue of player contracts was also prominent, with all candidates pledging to address it if elected.##NAJAVA_MECA_8466816##Otieno advocated for building capacity and equipping grassroots football stakeholders with skills for sustainability and commercialization.Shimanyula said he would implement measures to permanently ban those involved in match-fixing. “I am not a match-fixer. I fought against match-fixing, and I will ensure it’s eliminated in the country,” he asserted.Ocholla also committed to ensuring timely payments for players and match officials to help eradicate match-fixing issues.Why Ghost consider’s Victor Wanyama the top professional player in KenyaKempes, a former Gor Mahia player, added that Kenyan football faces integrity challenges, and only strong leadership can streamline the sport.While Mohammed and Barry acknowledged match-fixing as a global menace, they said civic education to players and stakeholders will help finish the vice in Kenya.During the debate, Hussein and Barry threw jabs at each other with both seeking the right to respond on a couple of occasions following accusations of accountability.
