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Football elections in Kenya

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Football leadership in Kenya has shuttled between elected and Caretaker Committees due to a government step-in following, largely, disbandment of the federation for a reason or another.[1]

History

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On 18 March 1963 John Kasyoka was elected in an Annual General Meeting to head Kenyan football. The then Nairobi Deputy mayor made history as he was the first native to take charge of Kenya football. He was elected back after a year, on 17 March 1964, to become the first FA boss in post independent Kenya. He was re-elected back for a third term on 30 March 1965. With no elections in the next two years, he stayed on as boss till 13 Dec 1968 when the FA of Kenya was dissolved by the then Minister of Co-operatives Ronald Ngala stating the FA had "completely ignored their responsibilities and involving themselves in petty quarrels emanating from personal clashes".[2]

Martin Shikuku was next elected in Jan 1970 but less than ten months later was hounded out of office by Masinde Muliro, Minister for Co-operatives & Social services. Martin 'Bill' Martin was elected next, unopposed, but stepped down after a year in office following his promotion as Provincial Commissioner (PC) to North Eastern Province. It was Williams Ngaah turn in June 1973 following his election but only till January of 1974 after being kicked out by Masinde Muliro.

Kenneth Matiba[3] was elected to office in Aug 1974 under a new entity Kenya Football Federation (KFF) ending the era of Kenya Football Association (KFA). He became the first chair to complete a full four-year term. He did not seek re-election when the next elections were called in Nov 1978 paving way for his rival Dan Owino to assume office. Owino didn't last long as Robert Matano, Minister for Housing and Social Services, disbanded the federation allowing Bill Martin to return as an appointed chair of an Adhoc Committee, then John Kasyoka on recommendation of the Kenya National Sports Council (KNSC).

Clement Gachanja (Jan 1982) then Joab Omino (Oct 1985) were elected to office but had interrupted terms due to government interference. Omino[4] was to however return in Sep 1991 for a full second term that ended in Feb 1996. Peter Kenneth (Feb 1996-Mar 2000), Maina Kariuki (Mar 2000-Mar 2004) were the next in office. The latter though had a one week interruption in May 2002 to his time in office after the then Minister of Sports Francis Nyenze appointed a caretaker committee headed by Philip Kisia.[5] It was overruled by the High Court.

Alfred Sambu, who lost to Kariuki in 2000 then assumed office in 29 Dec 2004[6] only to be ousted by coup led by Mohammed Hatimy in Aug 2005. Hatimy was to be elected in Nov 2008 under a new umbrella, Football Kenya Ltd, and after a full term gave way to Sam Nyamweya in Oct 2011[7][8] under Football Kenya Federation.

On 10 February 2016, Nick Mwendwa, then 37 years old, was confirmed as the Federation boss[9] beating his closest challenger Ambrose Rachier 50 to 27 votes[10]at Kasarani Annex to become the 14th elected football boss in independent Kenya. That election, the 18th in the last 55 years, was organized by the Electoral Board and conducted by the Institute of Education in Democracy (IED).

Sam Nyamweya failed to defend his seat after he stepped down minutes to the polls.[11][12] Nyamweya, together with three other aspirants; former Kenya Breweries and National team midfielder Sammy Sholei, Re-union Chair Evans Gor Semelang'o, and former AFC Leopards Chair Ssemi Aina, all polled zero votes.

Mwendwa successfully defended his seat in the next elections [13] election held on 17 October 2020 after polling 77 of the possible 85 votes.[14]

In the advent of four year terms from the early 70s, Mwendwa became only the first Kenyan football chief to be re-elected back to office[15] after a full uninterrupted term. Though Job Omino achieved a re-election in 1991, his first term in office, after being elected on 12 Oct 1985, was marred by a government dissolution of the federation on 3 March 1989. He later reclaimed his seat following an election ordered by the former Kenya President Daniel arap Moi on 7 September 1991. He went on to complete a full term.

Summary

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The following is a list of the Kenya football chiefs over time, elected or appointed.

Kenya Football chiefs Tenure Entity Notes
Jimmy Riddel Kenya Football Association
Peter Flucker Kenya Football Association
George Wallace 8 Oct 1957 - ? Kenya Football Association
Gordon John Bell - Kenya Football Association
John Kasyoka 18 Mar 1963-17 Mar 1964 Kenya Football Association Elected. 1st native to take charge of Kenyan football
John Kasyoka 17 Mar 1964-30 Mar 1965 Kenya Football Association Re-elected. 1st football boss in post independent Kenya
John Kasyoka 30 Mar 1965-13 Dec 1968 Kenya Football Association Re-elected once again. Reign ended by Ronald Ngala, Minister for Co-operatives
Johnathan Njenga 13 Dec 1968-24 Jan 1970 Caretaker committee (1st ever) Appointed chair by Ronald Ngala, Minister for Co-operatives
Martin Shikuku 24 Jan 1970-7 Oct 1970 Kenya Football Association Elected. Reign ended by Masinde Muliro, Minister for Co-operatives & Social services
Isaac Lugonzo 7 Oct 1970-16 Oct 1970 Kenya National Sports Council (KNSC) Onus handed over by Masinde Muliro, Minister for Co-operatives & Social services to organise next election
Martin 'Bill' Martin 16 Oct 1970-24 Sep 1971 Kenya Football Association Elected unopposed. Stepped down after promotion as PC to N.E Province
Samuel Ogembo 14 Oct 1971-15 Jun 1973 Caretaker committee Appointed interim chair by Masinde Muliro, Minister for Co-operatives & Social services
Williams Ngaah 16 June 1973-Jan 1974 Kenya Football Association Elected. Reign ended by Masinde Muliro, Minister for Co-operatives & Social services
Isaac Lugonzo Jan 1974-24 Aug 1974 Kenya National Sports Council (KNSC) Onus handed over by Masinde Muliro, Minister for Co-operatives & Social services to organise next election
Kenneth Matiba 24 Aug 1974-26 Nov 1978 Kenya Football Federation Elected. 1st football boss to complete four-year full term
Dan Owino 26 Nov 1978-21 Feb 1980 Kenya Football Federation Elected. Reign disrupted by Robert Matano, Minister for Housing and Social Services
Martin 'Bill' Martin 21 Feb 1980-11 Mar 1980 Adhoc committee Appointed chair by Robert Matano, Minister for Housing and Social Services. Quit after 20 days citing interference by the same Matano
John Kasyoka 11 Mar 1980-9 Jan 1982 Caretaker committee Appointed chair by Kenya National Sports Council (KNSC)
Clement Gachanja 9 Jan 1982-25 Apr 1985 Kenya Football Federation Elected. Reign disrupted by Robert Matano, Minister for Culture and Social Services
Christopher Obure 25 Apr 1985-12 Oct 1985 Caretaker committee Appointed chair by Robert Matano, Minister for Culture and Social Services
Joab Omino 12 Oct 1985-3 Mar 1989 Kenya Football Federation Elected. Reign cut short by Paul Ngei, Minister for Culture and Social Services
Mathews Adams Karauri 3 Mar 1989-7 Sep 1991 Caretaker committee Appointed chair by Paul Ngei, Minister for Culture and Social Services
Joab Omino 7 Sep 1991-17 Feb 1996 Kenya Football Federation Elected. 2nd term
Peter Kenneth 17 Feb 1996-24 Mar 2000 Kenya Football Federation Elected. Full term
Maina Kariuki 24 Mar 2000-17 May 2002 Kenya Football Federation Elected.
Philip Kisia 17 May 2002-23 May 2002 Caretaker committee Appointed chair by Minister of Sports Francis Nyenze. High Court overturns it, reinstates Kariuki
Maina Kariuki 24 May 2000-23 Mar 2004 Kenya Football Federation Completes term
Mike Boit[16] 24 Mar 2004-26 Jun 2004 Stakeholder Transition Committee (STC) Appointed chair by Minister of Sports Najib Balala
Kipchoge Keino 9 Jul 2004[17]-29 Dec 2004 KFF Normalization Committee Appointed chair by FIFA
Alfred Sambu 29 Dec 2004-27 Aug 2005 Football Kenya Federation Elected. Ousted by coup
Mohammed Hatimy 27 Aug 2005-13 Jan 2006 Kenya Football Federation Appointed acting chair by Naivasha SGM
Alfred Sambu 14 Jan 2006[18][19]-3 Nov 2006 Kenya Football Federation Reign ended by Minister for Sports, Maina Kamanda
Mtana Lewa 3 Nov 2006[20]-21 Nov 2006[21] KFF caretaker Committee Appointed chair by Minister for Sports Maina Kamanda. High court overturned it
Alfred Sambu 21 Nov 2006-10 Aug 2007 Football Kenya Federation Returned to office
Mohammed Hatimy 10 Aug 2007- 11 Oct 2011 Football Kenya Ltd Appointed by FKF GC in Malindi
Sam Nyamweya 11 Oct 2011-10 Feb 2016 Football Kenya Federation Elected. Full term
Nick Mwendwa 10 Feb 2016[22][23]-17 Oct 2020 Football Kenya Federation Elected. Full term
Nick Mwendwa 17 Oct 2020[24] -11 Nov 2021[25] Football Kenya Federation Re-elected. Reign ended by Amb. Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed
Justice(Rtd) Aaron Ringera 11 Nov 2021[26] - 16 Jun 2022[27] FKF caretaker committee Appointed chair by Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohammed
General (Rtd) Maurice Oyugi 17 Jun 2022[28]-15 Aug 2022[29] FKF Transition committee Appointed chair by Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohammed
Nick Mwendwa 9 Sep 2022[30][31] - current Football Kenya Federation Incumbent

References

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  1. ^ Nation, 11 Nov 2021 Sports CS Amina disbands FKF, forms caretaker committee
  2. ^ Pulse Sport, 23 Feb 2024 Legacy list: A roster of heads of Football Kenya Federation since 1963
  3. ^ Nation 16 Apr 2018 Matiba: Astute leader with passion for local football
  4. ^ Nation, 11 Mar 2024 Matiba and Omino’s watch: Birth of KFF, ensuing optimism and rise of local game
  5. ^ All Africa, 23 May 2002 Kenya: FIFA Stand Not Our Business, Says Kisia
  6. ^ Nation, 29 Dec 2004 Sambu is the new KFF boss
  7. ^ BBC, 29 Aug 2011 Nyamweya elected Kenya FA boss
  8. ^ Standard, 12 Oct 2011 Nyamweya is KFF boss
  9. ^ Nation, 10 Feb 2016 Nick Mwendwa elected FKF boss
  10. ^ Standard, 10 Feb 2016
  11. ^ Nation, 10 feb 2016 Sam Nyamweya bows out from football administration
  12. ^ Capital News, 10 Feb 2026, Nyamweya Pulls Out Of FKF Race
  13. ^ Goal, 17 Oct 2020 FKF Elections: Mwendwa floors challengers to retain seat
  14. ^ CAFOnline, 19 Oct 2020 Mwendwa re-elected as Football Kenya Federation president
  15. ^ Law in Sport, 19 Oct 2020 Mwendwa Re-Elected As Football Kenya Federation President
  16. ^ Nation, 25 Mar 2004 Boit ready for the task
  17. ^ BBC, 9 Jul 2004 Fifa statement on Kenya
  18. ^ Nation, 20 Dec 2005 Besieged Sambu handed lifeline
  19. ^ BBC, 14 Jan 2006 Sambu backed as Kenya chairman
  20. ^ Nation, 3 Nov 2006 Kamanda gives KFF marching orders
  21. ^ All Africa, 21 Nov 2006 Sambu's KFF Team Ordered Back in Office
  22. ^ Standard, 10 Feb 2016 [1]
  23. ^ Nation, 10 Feb 2016 Nick Mwendwa elected FKF boss
  24. ^ Goal, 17 Oct 2020 FKF Elections: Mwendwa floors challengers to retain seat
  25. ^ Nation, 11 Nov 2021 Sports CS Amina disbands FKF, forms caretaker committee
  26. ^ Nation, 11 Nov 2021 Sports CS Amina disbands FKF, forms caretaker committee
  27. ^ Standard,13 May 2022 Sports CS Amina appoints a 12-member Transition Committee to run football activities
  28. ^ The-Star, 18 Jun 2022 Sports CS Amina extends Transition Committee's term
  29. ^ Nation, 15 Aug 2022 CS Amina extends Transition Committee's term again
  30. ^ Nation, 9 Sep 2022 'I'm back!' Nick Mwendwa notifies Fifa
  31. ^ Citizen, 9 Sep 2022 Nick Mwendwa Back In Charge As FKF Boss
[edit]
  • [2] Kenyapage/ List of Kenya Football Chairmen since 1963
  • [3] AfriCOG/foul play! The crisis of football management in Kenya
  • [4] The Elephant/Football Kenya Federation Presidency: Poisoned Chalice or Poor Management?
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