Former Harambee Stars defender and current president of the Kenya Footballers’ Welfare Association (KEFWA) James Situma has expressed hope for significant reforms under the new Football Kenya Federation (FKF) leadership, headed by President Hussein Mohammed. Situma is particularly encouraged by the inclusion of FKF vice president McDonald Mariga, a former Kenya international and UEFA Champions League winner.He believes Mariga’s firsthand experience as a professional footballer will help address long-standing player welfare concerns.##NAJAVA_MECA_8572246##“Having Mariga in leadership is promising,” Situma shared in an interview with Pulse Sports.“I’ve played with him on the national team, and he understands the struggles players face, like attending national team assignments without allowances. Now, he’s in a position to influence meaningful change.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8571432##Reflecting on the challenges faced under the previous FKF administration, led by Nick Mwendwa, Situma noted that strained relations hindered KEFWA’s efforts to advocate for players.“We had a difficult relationship with the previous regime,” Situma explained.“They often felt we were overstepping our mandate, but our aim was always to ensure players’ issues were addressed effectively.”Harambee Stars midfielder dazzles as IF Elfsborg secure Europa League victoryBeyond player welfare, Situma emphasized the need for consistency in youth football programs to sustain long-term success.He cited recent milestones, including Kenya’s U-17 women’s team qualifying for their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2024 and the U-20 men’s team securing a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).“These achievements show the potential we have, but we need to strengthen grassroots structures to uncover and nurture more talent,” Situma said.“Youth programs must run consistently, and grassroots tournaments should receive more support from stakeholders to build a solid foundation for the future.”Adagala accuses delegates of betrayal as bribery allegations emergeSituma’s call for action comes at a pivotal moment for Kenyan football, as stakeholders look to the new FKF leadership to implement reforms that will improve the welfare of players and elevate the country’s football standards on the global stage.
