Fresh Mwendwa headache as sub-branches hold general meetings to reject electoral code

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa is now facing a serious revolution after sub-branches rejected the electoral code, instead making at least seven far reaching proposals on how they want the elections to be conducted.

Mwendwa had, by design, locked out sub-branches from discussing the code but the sub-branches went ahead with their own general meetings, at least 20 have converged and more are expected to meet and rubbish the proposed electoral plan.

They have coined up a slogan No Sub-branches, no elections rallying call.

Mombasa, Kisii and Uasin Gishu are aming those that met on Friday and Saturday resolving that elections must be held from the lowest level.

Others that have met or are scheduled to meet include Busia, Isiolo, Migori, Bungoma, Kakamega, Nyamira, Nandi, Wajir, Mandera, Lugari, Baringo, Taita Taveta and Trans Nzoia, among others.

Same day elections

In a radical move, they want elections conducted on the same day and voting done in the same way as was in 2012.

“We are in new dispensation of the Fkf Constitution and alignment to Sports Act 2013. All bonafide clubs within a County should elect the Sub-County office, County office and National office just like in 2011 elections,” read one of the resolutions by Mombasa.

They also want the Electoral Board to operate independently from the FKF offices, contending that working from Kandanda House undermines transparency and independence of the board because “contestants from the FKF office will influence the board to their advantage”.

“For credible Elections, IEBC should handle the Elections just like in 2010. Handing over elections to other parties other than the IEBC is a fertile ground for biasness. All the Elections should be conducted and supervised IEBC starting from Sub County to National office.

“Besides the Electoral Board should open offices in all regions where stakeholders, clubs, candidates can forward their grievances with sufficient evidence for necessary action to be taken. Forwarding your grievances to an intrested party in the election is a threat to justice.”

They want all candidates endorsed by at least three clubs eligible to vote, as well as a provision for independent candidates being allowed to contest.

According to the sub-branches, each club should have three voters as per registration regulations under the Sports Registrar’s guidelines.

Elections appeals

On appeals, they want an independent Board appointed to hear all appeals and not the FKF Appeal Committee as currently proposed.

“Appeal fees are too high. We need reasonable and affordable fees because there are no remuneration or allowances in grassroots football.”

On the election of the national executive committee members, that are proposing every region to elect their representative, a deviation from the current set up where NEC members are elected by voters/delegates country wide.

They argue, the current structure disadvantages regions as “other regions can plant a person in a region and win easily”.

“This denies us having a person of our choice. Each region should elect its own NEC member.”

It remains to be seen how Mwendwa will deal with this onslaught against his plan which has also encountered headwinds from Sports Registrar Rose Wasike and world football governing body – FIFA, who have maintained Mwendwa and FKF must comply to the ruling of the Sports Disputes Tribunal and ensure polls are held by the end of his term on 10 February 2020 or a month thereafter if there is to be a delay.