Is Muthomi ‘exit’ the beginning of a fallout at Mwendwa kitchen cabinet?

Football Kenya Federation is a house under siege following the unprecedented stepping aside of its Chief Executive Officer – Robert Muthomi, over a alleged player transfer scandal.

When the matter came up, there was little doubt that it was going to be a major elephant in the room that is FKF House and the sentiments of its boss Nick Mwendwa should not have been unexpected considering the gravity of the matter at hand.

Mwendwa promised there would be a thorough investigation into the matter and whoever was culpable would be brought to book but nobody saw this coming – his blossom friend, Muthomi stepping down because in many ways than any indictment on the man touches on the president himself.

The current office has been accused of behaving inappropriately on player transfers, with none other than Mwendwa himself taking some battering for being an agent in a way that it is believed he influences national team selections so that players he is keen on ‘selling’ get the chance to be part of the Harambee Stars squad.

The dust had not even settled on the controversy around the Afcon squad that failed at the Afcon in Egypt so the timing is really bad for things to take this twist.

It is not forgotten that John Avire’s inclusion in the team was laced with murmurs, many asking what the young man had done to deserve a place in the team at the expense of Allan Wanga and Jesse Were.

The answer may have come through this but the blatant manner in which it has been done might be evidence that it is the gods coming to haunt Mwendwa and his inner circle members.

My personal inference is that all is not well between Mwendwa and Muthomi, the latter probably being thrown under the bus for the big man to survive the political storm. I say this because of how close these two have been and how much they have done as the men in charge of football in this country.

From appointment of staff at the federation and kitting deals, among other deals; this pair has done a lot together for their personal or cronies’ benefit, majority of dealings not seeing much of media focus but maybe the time was never ripe until now.

Mwendwa has perfected a quiet shrewdness against those he perceives enemies after he cannot use them any more and nonexistent other than Herbert Mwachiro – the estranged CEO of the foiled CHAN local organizing committee, knows this better. Mwachiro has a story to tell about the goings-on at FKF under the leadership of the Kariobangi Sharks founder but his time to open the lid maybe soon coming.

Could it be that this marks the end of Muthomi or could it be the start of a vicious fight between him and his boss? Gut feelings suggest it could be true and it might be that they have disagreed over the gravy train, which Mwendwa unapologetically believes he is entitled to at all costs.

Further questions emerge around the timing for this fallout and what preceded this and what has happened after Muthomi stepping aside. Could this open the lid on unknown details about the country’s preparations for the Afcon? Could it Ben that there was a deal around this that did not come through and therefore Muthomi pays the ultimate price? Could it be that maybe there were deals around player transfers that hit a snag hence the panic and haphazard execution of the Avire matter which left them exposed?

Let’s not forget that there was a kitting deal, KSh250 million from government, among many other possible deals of interest to Mwendwa and his mercenaries, including several agents acting for Mwendwa who trooped Egypt; Andy that might explain the fallout.

Indeed may have been bigger for some individuals than Harambee Stars performance at Africa’s biggest football stage and whether this is the beginning of spilling the beans only time will tell. My experience tells me Muthomi and Mwachiro are men of unprecedented interest and they might wage a war of their lifetime together, especially if the former is thrown under the bus to join Mwachiro out in the cold.

With elections looming and just months away, Mwendwa opponents must be choking with anxiety on how this pans out and would in no uncertain terms seek to lure these two with a view to getting dossiers against Mwendwa.

Interesting time to be alive and watch the drama unfold.