World football governing body FIFA has banned Kenya from international football due to government interference.This comes after the government closed the door on Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and installed a caretaker committee to run football in the country in November last year. Zimbabwe who participated in the past edition of the Africa Cup of Nations has also been banned.FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed the suspension of Kenya from international football due to Government interference. Full story coming shortly on @MozzartSportKe pic.twitter.com/RXTpfILKmy— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) February 24, 2022 “Both nations know what they need to do for things to return to normal…” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the press conference while announcing the development.”In accordance with article 13 of the FIFA Statutes, FKF loses all its membership rights as of 24 February 2022 until further notice. FKF representative and club teams are therefore no longer entitled to take part in international competitions util the suspension is lifted. This also means that neither the FKF nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any development programs, courses or training from FIFA or CAF,” read part of the letter signed by the body’s Secretary General Fatma Samoura.Kenya began courting FIFA’s wrath in November when the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Culture and Heritage Amina Mohamed disbanded FKF and replaced it with the Caretaker Committee contrary to the global body’s statute which frown at third party interference.Amina appoints a caretaker committee to manage FKF affairsAmina moved to kick the FKF officials elected into office by the delegates and the secretariat out of office after receiving an inspection report from the Sports Registrar Rose Wasike.The minister while revealing the members of the caretaker committee revealed that they would serve for a period not exceeding six months a period in which they would also ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act and organize elections.Throughout the months in which the committee has in charge, questions have been raised over its inability to conduct the affairs of FKF and at the same time earn the recognition of CAF and FIFA.Rueful FKF Caretaker Committee shifts focus to World Cup qualifiers and CECAFADespite the committee reassuring the football stakeholders that they were fully in charge and were in constant communication with Zurich, efforts to enter the national women team Harambee Starlets to the Africa Women Cup of Nations under their wings bore no fruit much to the chagrin of the players who just needed a win over Uganda in the final round of qualifier to book a slot in the final.CAF barred Kenya to take on Uganda after FKF Secretary General Barry Otieno wrote to the continental body expressing the national office’s inability to independently plan and execute international matches due to what he said in the letter as the lock down imposed by the minister on the Kasarani based premises.Letter from FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura on Kenya’s suspension. pic.twitter.com/fp9E5ANI9Q— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) February 24, 2022 The committee swung into action in a bid to convince CAF to reverse the decision and allow Starlets play but their pleas fell on deaf ears and hence, Uganda qualified without breaking sweat.
