Kenyan football has been at the center of heated debate in recent weeks, with fans and stakeholders lamenting the sport’s declining state despite new leadership at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) promising changes.Contrary to expectations, cases of walkovers,match abandonments, insufficient security and lack of equipped ambulances have become the norm in the National Super League (NSL) and the third division.Fan unrest and hooliganism have also plagued matches, with the police accused of escalating tensions by indiscriminately lobbing tear gas during games.##NAJAVA_MECA_8692201##Amid these challenges, former Kenyan international and current Nairobi United head coach Nicholas Muyoti has called for unity among all football stakeholders—including FKF officials, players, coaches, and referees—to restore professionalism and improve the game.Muyoti emphasized the importance of enforcing club licensing policies to ensure professionalism in Kenyan football.He said teams must submit player contracts to FKF to curb salary delays, a persistent issue among clubs.Recently, Posta Rangers and Nzoia Sugar players publicly protested three months of unpaid wages.However, the problem is even more severe in the NSL and FKF Division One, where over 16 teams struggle to pay players and manage training sessions.Stars Abroad: Harambee Stars prospect plays full match as Bristol City falls to SwanseaSome Division One teams only assembles on match days due to financial constraints.”Our football federation must ensure the sport runs smoothly through its members—branches, teams, players, coaches, and referees. It’s time for everyone to wake up and restore sanity in our game,” stated Muyoti on his Facebook page.”We must ensure our teams are managed professionally. FKF has issued club licensing guidelines—why aren’t we following them? Players deserve timely salaries and allowances, as their performance depends on their welfare.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8699022##The former AFC Leopards team manager challenged Kenyan coaches to develop a national playing style suited to the country’s strengths.He believes this can only be achieved if coaches have a unified body that advocates for their interests and provides a platform to exchange ideas.”We need a coaches’ association to represent all Kenyan coaches. Can we start working toward that? We must develop a unique playing style** and identity for Kenyan football as soon as possible,” he urged.Ambani frustrated as Leopards’ slow start costs them against SharksMuyoti also called for improved referee welfare, noting that poor compensation had left officials vulnerable to influence and corruption.”Referees have endured difficult conditions for years. Can something be done to ensure they can officiate matches with integrity? They must be paid well and on time to avoid being compromised,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_8699033##Additionally, Muyoti stressed the need to empower FKF branches so they can function effectively and receive adequate support from the federation’s headquarters.”There is a lot of work to be done. We cannot rely solely on FKF—everyone must play their part. All stakeholders must unite and support the federation. We have lost many years, but I assure you, not all is lost,” he concluded.
