Kipkorir must give us back our football

Sam Nyamweya faces a stiff challenge in his bid to retain the top seat in the national football body.

Kariobangi Sharks chairman Nick Mwendwa, Nairobi businessman Gor Semelang’o and former Kenyan international Sammy Sholei have honed their swords for battle in the 2015 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections.

As the chase for votes gains momentum, Mr Nyamweya this week confirmed Nairobi lawyer Donald Kipkorir as chairman of the FKF Elections Board.

The Mr Kipkorir’s name, along with many others, had been endorsed by delegates at the FKF’s Third Annual General Meeting in Nairobi.

In a social media post, Mr Kipkorir pledged to ensure Kenyans get “the leaders they want”.

A FAIR PLATFORM

The good lawyer wrote: “What a truly blessed day! Just received my letter appointing me the chairman of Football Kenya Federation Elections Board! Kenya will get the football officials they want.”

Don, as his ‘learned friends’ peers call him, is pleased with the task and — if we take him by his word — Kenya’s football shall certainly be better.

Although the elections will be conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on November 13, Mr Kipkorir’s board is expected to play a crucial role to ensure a level playing field.

But to get the officials we want — to borrow Mr Kipkorir’s words — our lawyer must ensure that attempts at rigging the elections, imposing oneself on our sport, bribery for self aggrandisement, foul play and all other evils that have hitherto brought to office black crows when we expected eagles, must be rooted out.

ENORMOUS TASK
In accepting to take up this herculian challenge, which we deem as the only road to better management of our football, Mr Kipkorir must put himself above the lure of questionable past associates who may need favours to help cut corners.

He must be hawk-eyed to fish out fake delegates that shall surely be delivered in lorries. He must take his time and work together with his team so that we shall have no stench emanating from the forthcoming elections.

He must ensure no dark forces cloud the future of our football.

MURKY FIELD
We believe that Mr Kipkorir is not some Tom, Dick or Harry who is seeking some soft stuff to feather his nest or that he took up office in pursuit of monetary gain.

He does it because he needs to help his country; he could have used his time more economically elsewhere.

Football elections are often murky and soil the good character and reputation of those who may concern themselves with an overseer role.

On this, we dare Mr Kipkorir to shine or else be ready to sleep in the manure heap of failure. The ball is in your court, Bwana wakili; we only expect justice and efficiency from thee.