They say Kenyan football and politics are joined at the hip. Politics in Kenya, whether national or local will always directly or indirectly affect football at whatever level in the country.In the past, football has been used at a political launchpad. Former Webuye East MP Alfred Sambu was the KFF Chairman before moving into politics, McDonald Mariga, Kenya’s only UEFA Champions League winner has twice vied for the Kibera parliamentary seat, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth is a former football boss in the country.A TRUE LEADER:PETER KENNETHHe was the chairman of the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) from 1996-2000. He was also a FIFA committee member from 1998-2000. The politician was a footballer in his earlier years. He played for Kenya Reunion, a Kenyan football club as a goalkeeper. pic.twitter.com/BJob7IM5dT— Kíríku wawa Kínyanjui🇰🇪 (@kingethuk) October 20, 2021 The Chairmen of Kenya’s most supported clubs Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards both have had political ambitions. Gor’s Ambrose Rachier unsuccessfully vied for the Gem parliamentary seat while AFC Leopards’ Dan Shikanda had tried to be the Makadara MP and the Nairobi governor, he has failed in both.The government is involved directly and indirectly in the running of football in Kenya. This can be through funding, availing sports facilities and infrastructure, formulating favorable football policies, providing enabling environment for sponsors among others. Sometimes, their involvement becomes counterproductive as was the case in November 20212 when the government dissolved the federation and installed a committee to run football in the country.##NAJAVA_MECA_6906314##2022 is a year that politics/government greatly affected the running of football in the country in both negative and positive ways. Here is a chronology of how politics and government impacted football in the country in 2022.February 2022- World Football Governing body FIFA moved to suspend Kenya over government interference. This is after the then Sports CS, Amina Mohammed disbanded Football Kenya Federation (FKF) National Executive Committee and installed a caretaker committee to run football in the country for six months. After a couple of warnings from both FIFA and CAF, the world football governing body moved to suspend Kenya alongside Zimbabwe. This meant that the national teams and clubs could not participate in any international competitions.FIFA suspends Kenya from all football activities over government interference pic.twitter.com/So80hYgnBK— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) February 24, 2022 March 2022-FIFA congress ratified Kenya’ suspension from world football. This is after the government remained defiant after the initial suspension by the world football governing body.May 2022- CS Amina forms the FKF Transition Committee to replace the FKF Caretaker Committee whose six-month mandate expired. The committee had however failed in its co-mandate of hosting elections. Nearly all the members from the Caretaker Committee formed the transition committee who were handed a one-month term.CAF officially kicked Kenya out of the 2023 African Cup of Nations. This came weeks before the opening qualification match against Cameroon. Kenya’s ouster resulted in group C having three teams. Cameroon, Burundi and Namibia.June 2022- A body dubbed FKF Management Committee is formed by FKF Branch chairmen with the view of replacing the FKF Transition Committee after their mandate expires. The body is led by Murang’a Branch chairman, Robert MachariaCS Amina snubs the FKF Management Committee and extends the mandate of the Transition by a further two months. There is uproar from stakeholders and legal experts over the legality of the move but the CS is unbowed and the committee is tasked with running football until August 2022FKF Management Committee’s statement.FKF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEEFKF TRANSITION COMMITTEECOUNTY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONSAll the three want to run leagues.SIGH pic.twitter.com/4FCn2IMsz9— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) August 24, 2022 August 2022- For one last time, the outgoing CS extends the mandate of the Transition Committee by a further two months. Many argued that it was an unwise move considering the new government was coming into office in weeks but the defiant CS stuck to her guns and the committee served its term before eventually exiting the scene with the CS.October 2022- Incoming Sports CS Ababu Namwamba is vetted, he promises to resolve several crises, among them the football suspension issue. He also promises to bring back South African broadcaster, SuperSport.Namwamba is sworn in as the new sports boss after successful vetting. Kenyans are hopeful that he will reform the sports sector that was badly ailing. On his first day in office, he phones FIFA with aim of resolving the football problems in the country.November 2022, CS Namwamba bows to FIFA demands and reinstates FKF. President Nick Mwendwa is however left out as he works towards clearing his name in court. Vice president Doris Petra is handed the mandate to run the federation temporarily.-FKF’s National Executive Committee nullifies the 2021/22 leagues that were run by the government installed committees. This meant that there were no promotions or relegation in the league. Affected teams like APS Bomet moved to the Sports Disputes Tribunal to challenge the decision.BREAKING NEWSFKF’s NEC has nullified last season’s leagues. No promotion or relegation.#KEFootball pic.twitter.com/eKLugH786q— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) November 9, 2022 December 2022- Sports Disputes Tribunal quashes FKF’s decision to nullify the leagues and in fact quashes the existence of FKF’s NEC. There is an uproar after the ruling, the matter is later challenged at the Constitutional Court which issues stay orders allowing FKF’s decision to nullify leagues to temporarily stand.The president William Ruto announces the launch of Talanta Hela tournament. A tournament that will feature the u19 teams from all the counties with the aim of developing talents in the country. The cabinet also ratifies Kenya’s plans to bid for the 2027 African Cup of Nations hosting rights.Rael Nkoi: Former Gaspo defender defying odds to grow women football in TurkanaHopefully 2023 will be a better year for Kenyan football and sports in general.
