Ahead of the much-anticipated Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Annual General Meeting (AGM), a dispute between FKF Premier League side Murang’a Seal and FKF over who should represent the club at the event set for Saturday has continued to cause tensions within the football governance circles in Kenya.The club has fired warning shots at the football body in the country after the federation’s secretary general Barry Otieno asserted that Hussein Mohammed, Seal vice chairman is ineligible to attend the AGM.##NAJAVA_MECA_7950681##Addressing the media at the Swiss Lenana Hotel in Nairobi on Wednesday morning, the club’s chairman Robert Macharia refuted the federation’s stance noting that it blatantly violates the FKF constitution, the rights of Murang’a Seal, and the universal values of football.“On the 5th of March, Murang’a Seal appointed its Vice Chairman Hussein Mohammed to represent the club at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for Saturday 16th March 2024.”“In a letter dated 11th March FKF CEO Barry Otieno stated that following a comprehensive review of the registration documents’ of Murang’a Seal, our Vice Chairman, Mr. Hussein Mohammed, is ineligible to attend the FKF AGM.”“The position taken by the FKF CEO blatantly violates the FKF Constitution, the rights of Murang’a Seal, and the universal values of football. In plain English, there is no regulation anywhere on earth that empowers the FKF CEO to decide for Murang’a Seal who shall represent them at the FKF AGM.” Read a statement from Seal chairman Macharia.Murang’a Seals statement on my attendance for the the upcoming FKF AGM.#EndFKFImpunity pic.twitter.com/QU6dPrDCEV— Hussein Mohammed (@husseinmoha) March 13, 2024 The chairman further accuses FKF of acting out of malice, hubris, and a desire to escape accountability by any means necessary, maintaining that the decision of whom to represent them at the AGM is the sole prerogative of the club and no one can dictate the club on the matter.“For the avoidance of doubt, the decision of who shall represent Murang’a Seal at the FKF AGM is the sole prerogative of the club. No one can dictate to Murang’a Seal in this regard. This is expressly provided for in the FKF Constitution,” continues the statement.Hussein will attend the AGM – Murang’a Seal insistsTo support their argument, the club’s statement goes on to quote relevant provisions of the FKF Constitution.“The FKF Constitution 2017 defines a “Member” thus: a legal person that has been admitted into membership of Football Kenya Federation by the General Assembly,” which confirms the Seal as a duly registered member of the FKF.The club draws attention to articles 11, 18, and 19 of the FKF Constitution which outlines the admission of members, independence of members, and Status of Clubs, Leagues, Regional Associations, and other groups of Clubs respectively.Article 18 states that each member shall manage its affairs independently and with no influence from third parties thus the club’s decision on who will attend the AGM belongs to the club only.Article 19 highlights that all FKF members shall make all decisions on matters regarding their membership independently of any external body which includes the selection of a representative to take part in the General Assembly of FKF, to receive its agenda in advance, to participate in the debates and discussions and exercise its voting rights as outlined in Article 23 of FKF constitution.Avire, Ayunga named in Harambee Stars’ squad for Malawi tournamentThe club’s strong stand comes in the wake of several intimidation of delegates, including some branch Chairmen and club representatives who are deemed to be anti-status quo with a view of compromising their position in matters FKF.“We are aware that there is persistent intimidation of delegates, including some branch Chairmen and club representatives who are deemed to be anti-status quo with a view of compromising their position in matters FKF. The case of Murang’a Seal is just an example of an elaborate plan to intimidate delegates. Intimidation of members must not be allowed to happen,” adds the statement.The club maintains that Hussein will represent them at the AGM on Saturday with the eyes of football stakeholders fixed on how the dispute will be resolved in what may signal a new start for Kenyan football which has been on the decline in the recent future.Stars Abroad: Action for Harambee Stars duo in England
