FKF branches finally vote

Joy, protests, boycott and disappointments marred the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) branch elections that took place across the country on Tuesday after being postponed several times.

In Nairobi West, one of the 20 branches, Hussein Bashir was elected chairman after garnering 23 votes against Athanas Obango’s 15. Caleb Malweyi (25) became secretary.

Washington Lubaya (22) is vice-chairman after beating Daniel Odera and veteran Nation Media Group sports journalist John Ashihundu, who polled 14 and two votes, respectively.

Josephine Karuri was elected treasurer with 26 votes, same as her assistant Michael Kamure as Maureen Obonyo and Fanon Otieno became women’s and youth representative respectively.

OUMA RETURNS

Michael Ouma won the Nairobi East chairmanship with a landslide victory, polling 24 votes against Martin Chibeka’s two. He will be assisted by George Onyango (24) with Dickson Odoyo the secretary. Michael Ngatia (23) became treasurer, Moses Nyangira youth rep and Jackline Juma women’s rep.
Bashir told Daily Nation Sport: “The victory was long overdue.

“We have to move with speed and put structures in place.”

His opponent Obango alleged voter bribery: “The elections have not been free and fair.”

FKF Electoral Board secretary Irene Tindi said: "Generally, it has been successful."

“The turnout was close to 100 per cent. Once we have received and compiled all the results, we’ll share them with the public.”

Gabriel Mghendi was voted South Coast chairman in peaceful elections in Mombasa as Salim Hamisi Bambaulo beat incumbent vice-chairman Ismail Mohamed Ogolla. Lilian Nandundu became secretary, Chalambo Salim Yasin reasurer, Anthony Ogutu vice-treasurer, Deone Yvonne Demba women’s rep and Hamisi Kassin youth rep.

PROTESTS IN KISII

In Kisii, Rachuonyo and Nyamira, the elections were delayed for several hours by protests. Officials from the Institute of Education and Democracy (IED), who were presiding over the function, and FKF delegates disagreed over the list of delegates.

Voting finally begun at 12:30pm instead of 9am after a group allied to FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya walked out. 

“Powerful individuals from Nairobi are behind the doctoring of the list,” Enoch Ombuna, a delegate from Gesabakwa sub-branch, Kisii, said.

Peter Omwando, the incumbent chairman, boycotted the elections, citing “strange” names on the voters list. He said: “We are protesting an illegality as shown in the delegates list.”

Ombuna was later arrested by the police for reportedly causing a disturbance.

MWENDWA'S CANDIDATES TRIUMPH

Candidates allied to FKF presidential candidate Nick Mwendwa swept all the Central Rift posts in a peaceful election in Nakuru, where Kenneth Kiprop Ruto (66) beat the incumbent Kefa Nyabuto (42) to the chairman’s seat.

Lucy Kageni (71) became vice-chairperson after beating John Mureithi (35) while Francis Oriero was unopposed as secretary and Stephen Lekinik (61) became his assistant secretary after he beat Christopher Akama (32).

Peter Nderitu (68) is the treasurer after he beat Philemon Okoth (34), with his assistant Willy Menego (60) while Judy Waithera and William Muyaga are women’s youth reps, respectively.

Upper Eastern peacefully filled all the eight positions in Meru County. Hussein Dima Mahad is chairman, Robert Gatobu vice-chairman, Ken Rungu secretary, Getito Nderitu Gethu vice-secretary, Ali Awadh Abdalla treasurer, John Ntongai Michael vice-treasurer, Grace Wamuyu Gathua women rep and Jabir Hassan Mohamud youth rep.

Police were however forced to seal off Mumias Sports Complex Hall after a rival faction threatened to storm the voting venue following claims of distortion of the Western delegates list.

Led by Fred Serenge, an aspirant for the secretary’s position in the camp of chairmanship candidate Dan Musuku, demanded that the Electoral Board list be used. After normalcy was restored, Patrick Lubembe became chairman with 48 votes against Musuku’s 44.

Moses Akali (47) became vice-chairman as George Barasa retained the secretary’s post with Rodgers Chite his assistant, Silvanus Barasa treasurer, Josephine Agola vice-treasurer, Evelyn Awour women’s rep and Thomas Wandera youth rep.

George Ongudi became Nyanza North chairman with 36 votes against Patrick Kihungu Imbuga’s 32 with Stephen Oloo (61) his assistant, while Dickson Oruko (51) retained the secretary’s post to be assisted by Robert Ouma. Asha Obibi is the treasurer, assisted by Odour Were, while Benter Awuor and Seth Oduor are women’s and youth reps, respectively.

Amid complaints of missing names, Bernard Lagat (23) beat Kennedy Kalya (30) to the North Rift chairmanship. Joseph Dolly (15) lost the secretary’s seat to his former deputy Boaz Kaino (21), Alfred Luvakha (34) became treasurer and Catherine Kuto was unopposed as women’s rep.

Reports by Isaac Swila, Aggrey Omboki, Agnes Aboo, Titus Maero, Gaitano Pessa, Copperfield Lagat, Aggrey Omboki, Abdurahman Sheriff and Francis Mureithi