Mayenje Santos, Dimba Patriots, and Kona Rangers vowed not to take part in Division One League after a meeting with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) secretariat on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, in Nairobi.
The three clubs were supposed to gain promotion to the National Super League (NSL) after the conclusion of the 2021/2022 season but the entire campaign was declared null and void since it was not recognized by the world football governing body.
FKF secretariat tried to convince the sides to participate in the leagues which they played last season but their efforts bore no fruits.
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“After consultation, parties were advised that FKF would not act in contravention of the NEC resolution of November 9, 2022, regarding the status of the FKF leagues for the new season.
“However, the only conclusion that the Federation can make under the circumstances is to allow the affected clubs desirous of playing in the leagues as directed by NEC’s 7 days window to register players and begin playing pending the determination of the judicial review case in the High Court.
“Dimba Patriots, Mayenje Santos, and Kona Rangers categorically stated that they will not register or participate in the leagues under any circumstances and termed the fixtures illegal,” a statement from FKF read.
In addition, the clubs promised to take the matter to court if FKF does not allow them to play in the NSL.
They also argued that since the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) declared the FKF National Executive Council (NEC) unconstitutional, the body lacks the authority to make decisions concerning football in the country.
However, two other clubs, who were supposed to earn a promotion to the Kenya Premier League expressed willingness to return to the NSL.
“Murang’a Seals FC had confirmed to FKF before the meeting that the club had registered players and confirmed they would honor their league matches as communicated by the federation on the updated NSL fixtures.
“AP Bomet requested to be allowed time to consult internally and revert with a decision and further requested that their league match scheduled for Wednesday 21, be rescheduled to a later date,” the statement ended.
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