FIFA has responded to the latest development in Kenyan football by issuing a strong statement following the decision by the Kenyan government to form a caretaker committee to run football affairs in the country.
On Thursday, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed banned the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and installed a 15-person caretaker committee and a 12-person secretariat to run affairs at Kandanda House after the federation was deemed to have failed to account for funds given to it by government to run affairs at the federation.
The Aaron Ringera led committee hit ground immediately despite late efforts by FKF to fight back the decision.
In a letter addressed to the FKF CEO Barry Otieno, FIFA has said that should there be a stalemate, they will not hesitate to ban the country. The World soccer governing body has however offered to mediate between the Ministry and the federation to find a solution to the current situation and have normalcy resume.
“All FIFA member associations, including the FKF, are statutorily required to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence of any third parties. Any failure to these obligations may lead to sanctions provided for in the FIFA Statutes, even if the third party influence was not the fault of the member association concerned,” the letter from reads in part.
“We consider that the aforementioned decision by the Cabinet Secretary to appoint a FKF Caretaker Committee in lieu of the elected FKF Executive Committee is undoubtedly contrary to the above principles.”
“Should this be considered as undue government interference in the internal affairs of the FKF, it could lead to a ban imposed on the FKF by the competent FIFA body.”
“we would like to emphasize on our willingness to hold a meeting with the FKF and the Ministry of Sport as soon as possible so as to address any concern both sides may have and, all together, to decide on a way forward for the sake of Kenyan football.”
On Thursday, FKF officials were barred from accessing Kandanda House which is now under the Ministry of Sports.