Media key role play in football federation polls

When Football Kenya Federation (FKF) finalises its Annual General Meeting on Friday in Kisii, it will have set the stage for the October or November election. After the meeting, therefore, current test balloons will burst into electioneering proper.

Unless there are new entrants, experienced incumbent and politically well-heeled President Sam Nyamweya will face off with confident, disciplined and tech-savvy Kariobangi Sharks FC chairman-cum-sponsor Nick Mwenda.

That makes for an in-house, old-guard versus fresh-blood contest, because Mr Mwenda has previously served as FKF’s resident player tracking consultant.

Such contests are usually intense and marked by bitter vote-seeking and behind-the-scenes back-stabbing.

This is so because only club and branch representatives comprise the electoral college that chooses FKF office bearers in a one-delegate, one-vote format. That means Mr Nyamweya and Mr Mwenda will each be campaigning to win over more than half of the 78 delegates.

It matters not what 40 million Kenyans and government think of their football. The sport’s future direction lies in the hands of 78 individuals. In Mr Nyamweya, they will be asked to look at his record, experience, person and vision and vote for continuity or status quo.

In Mr Mwenda, they will be asked to look at Mr Nyamweya’s record and his person vis-à-vis the alternative vision and person of the challenger, and, vote for a change. The incumbent will want to be judged on his record, but Mr Mwenda will seek to devalue it.

Challengers often argue that they would have done better and promise to do better. Mr Mwenda will argue that he brings in freshness, change and a future of progress. He will, therefore, want to make the election a referendum on the performance of Mr Nyamweya.

He will have question marks and red ink all over Mr Nyamweya’s record. His message will be stark: “Delegates, you have a choice; pick Nick and bring change that will make Kenya a great football nation because I have a plan. Mr Nyamweya represents our unhappy past.”

Defending his record and attacking the alternative, Mr Nyamweya is expected to list his achievements and declare: “Here is what I have done for Kenya’s football and this is what I want to do to consolidate these gains. I am your man; don’t gamble with your vote.”

The delegates will therefore be courted to choose the status quo or change; the energy of youth and its potential for the future or proven experience; the capacity of a new and modernity-driven vision or continued achievement by a tried and tested hand.

Can the delegates be relied upon to deliver the right leadership for Kenya’s football? Yes, if they vote for its development; ballot with their consciences; analyse and understand what the candidates are selling; and if they will tell the difference between the competing visions.

No is the answer if they will sell their votes to the highest bidder; if they do not know what it will take to develop Kenya’s football; or if they have neither idea nor interest in what the candidates stand for.

It is why the media should weigh in vigorously in the build-up to the poll and campaign to unpack the challenges bedevilling our football and the positions of the candidates. I propose they invite the candidates to publicise their visions in print, online, on TV and on radio.

I suggest media encourage debate between fans, candidates, delegates, administrators, clubs, players and government officials on these platforms. They should broadcast the challenges facing Kenya’s football and ideas for solving them in order to develop the sport.

I suggest that media aim to expose the candidates and delegates to popular positions on the development of Kenya’s football so that they embrace them. Why? Because football does not belong to FKF; it is the birth right of the people of Kenya.

The media should take the visions of the candidates to Kenyans and take back the ideas of the people of Kenya to the candidates and delegates to ensure the delegates and candidates know and publicly debate the agendas of Kenya’s football fraternity.

Thereafter, the media should draw up the boxes to be ticked if Kenya is to develop into a football powerhouse. These boxes should be used to best determine which plan best mirrors the vision of Kenyans or force candidates to align their plans to the vision of the people.

Get involved. The future of our football is far too important to be left to only 78 people. Speak out. Make the coming poll a contest of ideas.

Opanga is a media consultant; [email protected]