Youthful Nick Mwendwa in saddle as Nyamweya nicks off

Newly elected FKF President Nick Mwendwa (seated-right) is congratulated by FKF Electoral Board members Bishop Bernard Njoroge (left) and Prof Wamukoya Edward with also Fifa officials Primo Carvaro and Ledenga Tenga on February 10, 2016 at Safaricom Indoor Arena. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • The youthful Kariobangi Sharks chairman garnered 50 votes with his closest challenger, Ambrose Rachier polling 27.
  • Mwendwa takes over from outgoing FKF boss Sam Nyamweya, who withdrew his candidature from the elections minutes before the exercise started.
  • Team Change dominates polls at Kasarani amid claims of bribery
  • Mwendwa’s running mate, Doris Petra, triumphed with 36 votes to beat Andrew Amukowa on 21 and Dan Shikanda with 13.

The youthful long-serving Kariobangi Sharks chairman Nick Mwendwa is the new president of the Football Kenya Federation.

Mwendwa, 37, an Information and Technology specialist polled 50 votes to floor Nairobi-based lawyer and Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier who garnered 27 votes during the federation national elections at the Safaricom Indoor Arena, Kasarani on Wednesday.

Ssemi Aina got no vote so too did outgoing chairman Sam Nyamweya, who stepped down moments before voting started.

Nick’s running mate Petra Doris was elected vice-president in a re-run after garnering 53 votes against Dan Shikanda who managed just one vote while Andrew Amukowa got none.

An elated Mwendwa said: “I had said for long that we would win this and we did it today. We now have a new federation and the aim is to begin with youth football, get the national team to prepare adequately for the next game and also change the people’s attitude on the game.”

Rachier said: “I must accept the results. It was a clean and transparent exercise here on the floor but what I can complain about is the bribery of delegates.

“With the level of poverty in this country,  it is hard for a delegate to turn down a Sh150,000 bribe,” he claimed. “Some of my delegates asked me to let them go eat the money and come back and it seemed they never came back. I do not have prove but have word that it happened. Now I’ll work with the new chairman,” Rachier said.

Mwendwa’s running mate, Doris Petra, triumphed with 36 votes to beat Andrew Amukowa on 21 and Dan Shikanda with 13.

They however they had to wait for a run off as none of them had attained the 50 percent threshold. By the time of going to press, a run off had not been conducted.

Mwendwa’s victory was achieved through a well organised campaign based on backroom lobbying, elaborate ground network and  financial muscle which enable him to sway the neutral delegates.

David Gikaria, who is also in Mwendwa’s Team Change, was elected the federation’s national executive member of Rift Valley with a landslide polling 42 votes ahead of closest challenger, Kipchumba Joe Birgen who had  24.

Others were  Moses Kamalik, Geoffrey Kiptanui (four each), Bernard Shitiabayi (2), while Letting Isaac got no vote.

NEW NEC MEMBERS
David Gikaria (Rift Valley), Nabea Timothy (Eastern), Raphael Mwalungo (Coast), Kimani David Njoroge (Central), Enos Kweya (Western), Mohamed Mula Mohamed (North Eastern), Joseph Andere Oduol (Nyanza) and Chris Amimo (Nairobi).

FEDERATION CHAIRMEN

1963-1964 Isaac Lugonzo

1964-1968  John Kasyoka

1968–1970  Caretaker committee led by Jonathan Njenga

1970-1973   Martin Shikuku

1973               Caretaker committee led by Billy Martin

1973-1974    William Humphrey Ngaah

1974-1975 Dan Owino

1975-1978   Kenneth Matiba

1978-1980 Dan Owino

1980–1984 Clement Gachanja

1984-1992 Job Omino

1992-1996 Caretaker committee led by Matthew Adams Karauri

1996-2000   Peter Kenneth

2001-2004 Maina Kariuki

2004         Normalisation committee led by Kipchoge Keino

2004-2007  Alfred Sambu

2007–2011   Mohamed Hatimy

2011–2015 Sam Nyamweya

2016- Nick Mwendwa