Undated*
The Kenya Association of Former Footballers have finally spoken. Through a statement penned by the Association, the former legendary stars expressed their stance regarding the state of football in the country.
"We’re at the darkest period of Football Management in our country. A time when we both ought to be celebrating the many privileges that have come with the modern times, we’re lamenting intentional and unprofessional mismanagement of our beautiful game."The statement outlined.
"It is imperative that we all have this clarity; that Nick Mwendwa’s regime has been the most sufficiently funded Football Federation ever in the history of football in Kenya since independence; he has had access to lots of funding opportunities; i.e. FIFA Forward 1.0 and 2.0, CAF Funding, Government National Sports Fund, Sponsors Funding (Betting Companies etc.), a privilege never enjoyed by the past regimes in Kenya."
"What we have witnessed in the last 5 years, is a diminishing state of football in Kenya, and a complete weakening of our football structures, even when we already have a very progressive Sports Act No. 25 of 2013 and the Sports Amendment Bill of 2021 as a guide in regulating our Football Leadership, Management and Governance," read the statement.
"Problems caused by this shameful regime in the last 5 years;
1. Mismanagement of Football Affairs in the country.
2. Misappropriation of Football Funding.
3. Lack of Accountability of Public Resources.
4. Discrimination, even to a simple act of letting Kenyans attend national matches in the Public Stadium.
5. Unprofessional recruitment of National Teams Coaches and Technical Bench.
6. Lack of meeting the minimum requirement in matters strategies, planning, and stakeholder engagement.
7. Killed the spirit of youth football development. Youth structures are set for their own businesses, and selective ambitions.
8. Arrogance, chest thumping, a lack of dignity as brought about in the highest office of Football Management in Kenya by this regime, and disparaging remarks made towards the CS with regards to relinquishing power to the caretaker committee.
9. Rise of match fixing in the country by match officials, because of lack of funds when on their official duties.
10. Bribery of delegates during voting exercise." The statement is detailed.
"We, as retired Football Players of different generations, condemn this, and strongly support the CS of Sports, Culture and Heritage, Ambassador Amina Mohamed, on disbanding FKF-NEC and the entire leadership. KAFF also fully supports the recently formed Caretaker Committee and its Secretariat in the mandate assigned to them by the Government. It is our hope that an immediate clean-up and res-structuring of Kenya’s Football Leadership will continue as a priority task, especially after the just concluded inspection and audit of FKF by the Sports Registrar. Lastly, we pray for the best and look forward to a new leadership at FKF, elected within the confines of Kenyan Law, and specifically within the Sports Registrar’s regulations and the Sports Act No. 25 of 2013."
Teamkenya.co.ke also had a chance to exclusively speak to KAFF Chairman Athanas Obango regarding the way forward for football in the country. "For us as former players, we are concerned. If the government can step in and try and put things in order then that tells you that indeed there is a big problem with Kenyan football," Said Obanga.
"People have forgotten that football has gone down the drain particularly at the grass root level. Yes we agree that capacity building has been experienced but corruption has greatly messed up everything. I don't think it is right to charge coaches money for training (Licensing) yet FIFA and CAF are advancing money for these kinds of programs."
"The CAF B Licensing programs are charging coaches and referees Ksh 60,000 so it's a great concern. If funds given by Fifa and CAF were used well, we would not be complaining and also a thorough check has to be done to the instructors who facilitate the program. Is there a follow up on the said trained coaches that can be detailed well…" Obanga revealed.
"We should look at the football electoral body for instance the FKF constitution, it needs a total overhaul. A problem is bribery of delegates during elections and those are the things we need to look at. The government coming in could save the situation. Last elections some delegates were being Ksh 200,000 to vote. We need to look at the constitution because it could be a monster."
The chairman also revealed: "We don't have a reason to say that football in the country is growing if teams are paying referees, teams are paying for security. In the National Super League, teams are paying Ksh 10,000 for every match and Division 1 teams are paying Ksh 5,000 for every match as well so the question is where is the sponsorship money going to. This is the most funded Federation in the history of football in the country. However, things are bad and we need to get the right people."