The Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) has ordered matches in the National Super League (NSL) and the FKF Division One Leagues to be put on hold for seven days awaiting further directions from the Tribunal on a case challenging the running of the leagues is heard.This comes after seven NSL clubs and one Division One club went to court seeking intervention to have the Football Kenya Federation Transition Committee (FKFTC) allow Football Kenya Federation Standing Committees to carry out their independent mandates as prescribed by the FKF Constitution, with the mention of the petition set for Tuesday earlier this week.However, the FKFTC failed to appear on Tuesday, and also on Thursday after the Tribunal directed that they be served again and set another mention so as to have hear full arguments on the matter.The Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) has halted the National Super League (Second Tier) and Division One (Third Tier) leagues for seven days until a case challenging the lack of judicial bodies that was filed by some clubs is heard and determined.#NSL pic.twitter.com/IoCIDFytea— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) May 26, 2022 Migori Youth, Dandora Love, Gusii FC, Zoo FC, Kisumu All Stars, Mwatate United, and Coastal Heroes in the NSL and Kamungei United in the FKF Division One League, alongside sports journalist Francis Ngira Okello moved to the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) shortly after the appointment of the FKFTC.The SDT issued the orders after going through the application and in the absence of the FKFTC, with the matter set to be mentioned on May 31, 2022.”A conservatory order is issued for seven (7) days staying the Respondent’s decision of 13th May 2022 that allowed the continuation of the National Super League and Division One League 2021-2022 season matches in terms of the fixtures released by the Football Kenya Federation Caretaker Committee. The matter shall be mentioned on the 31st May 2022 at 2.30 pm for issuance of further orders or directions,” the order read partly.NSL clubs want FKF bodies allowed to resume their mandateThe petition argues that the FKFTC and their predecessor the Football Kenya Federation Caretaker Committee (FKFCC) have been running leagues without functional FKF Bodies contrary to the FKF constitution and thus should allow those recognized by the FKF constitution to take charge, although the FKFTC moved with speed to appoint an independent disciplinary committee just three days after the petition was filed.In the ruling delivered on Thursday, the SDT affirmed with the petition that “there is an apparent conflict of interest by having the Respondent perform all functions that should be overseen by different bodies established under the FKF Constitution which in turn dilutes the system of checks and balances that seeks to ensure the affairs of the league are conducted in an open, transparent, and accountable manner”., acknowledghing that the FKF bodies are a necessary requirement by the FKF constitution to fully run FKF affairs.
