Three petitioners recently filed a case in the High Court of Kenya at Nairobi against top officials in the sports ministry and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). The applicants, Philip Nyingi Maina and two others – Moses Otieno and Jeremiah Mwangi, are requesting legal action to halt the ongoing funding of what they claim is an unlawful organisation.FKF postpones AGM following court orderThe case involves several individuals and organisations in the sports industry, including the Cabinet Secretary for Sports (CS Sports), the Principal Secretary for Sports (PS Sports), the CEO of the Sports Fund, the Sports Registrar, and the FKF. The applicants are requesting that public funds no longer be allocated to the FKF, which was dissolved by the then CS Sports in 2021, Madam Amina Mohamed, according to Gazette Notice No. 12374. Despite the disbandment, recent financial documents intended for an upcoming AGM reveal that FKF is still receiving funding from the Ministry of Sports through the Sports Fund.##NAJAVA_MECA_8103721##ContextAn inspection committee was appointed by the Sports Registrar on October 18, 2021, in accordance with Section 52(1) of the Sports Act No. 25 of 2013. The committee submitted its report on November 5, 2021, recommending significant changes, which were subsequently reviewed by the Cabinet Secretary for Sports. After a thorough review, the CS Sports made the decision to dissolve the entire National Executive Committee (NEC) of the FKF and put in place a caretaker committee to oversee FKF’s operations.Matters to be decidedThe judicial review application is requesting two important orders.Kenyan football stakeholders raise alarm over FKF election crisis and potential FIFA suspension1. Challenging the reinstatement of disbanded FKF OfficialsThe applicants contend that the decision made by the CS Sports to reinstate the disbanded FKF NEC officials was arbitrary and should be reversed.2. Putting a stop to public fund disbursementThe petitioners are aiming to halt the allocation of public funds by CS Sports, PS Sports, and CEO Sports Fund to the “disbanded” FKF, which they consider to be an illegal entity.The applicants argue that the Ministry’s ongoing funding of FKF goes against the disbandment order issued in 2021, which they believe is a misuse of public resources.The case is currently being heard by Honourable Justice Ngaah.
