The National Assembly Committee on Sports yesterday, 5th October, 2024 met with the FKF Electoral Board Chairman Hesbon Owila as the MPs sought clarity over issues surrounding the upcoming Football Kenya Federation elections set to be held on December 7 this year.
During the meeting, Owila clarified to the committee that the board had considered all legal provisions in clearing the FKF outgoing president Nick Mwendwa wo he said is eligible to contest as a running mate in the forthcoming elections.
Mwendwa, whose mandatory two-term limit is coming to an end, has been cleared to run as the running mate of his current deputy Doris Petra in the December 7th elections.
Sports Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen had differed with Owila during a separate appearance before the Committee where the CS appeared to take back his earlier position over the matter as he appeared before the committee to shed light on the eligibility of Mwendwa to be fielded as number two to Petra.
The committee chaired by Hon. Kamau Wamacukuru heard that there is no law barring Mwendwa from seeking any other position apart from the presidency which he has served for a full two terms.
The CS, who was the first to appear before the Committee, told MPs that the law barred Mwendwa from deputizing Petra in the polls. He however failed to substantiate his claims as both the FKF constitution and the Sports Act do not bar Mwendwa from running as a deputy.
“The law is clear that anybody picked as a running mate should have the same qualifications of the presidential candidate so that incase anything happens to the president, he can take over office,” Murkomen told MPs.
“It is not morally good to serve as the Federation’s president then during elections you present yourself as a deputy.” said CS Murkomen.
The CS pointed out that Mwendwa had completed his term as required by the federation constitution, noting that it will be illegal for him to be on the Petra ticket for presidency.
He added: “I have had a conversation with Mwendwa on this matter and we agreed he should not run.”
His sentiments were supported by Suba South MP, Caroli Omondi who questioned why the Electoral Board cleared him to run.
“Why did the Electoral Board clear Mwendwa in the first place when its clear that he had cleared his term,” he added.
But Owila, when he appeared before the Committee, said the law allowed Mwendwa to contest as a running mate in the elections.
“Article 37 of the Federation’s constitution is clear that the president upon clearing his term is free to run for any other seat,” he explained.
He noted that the Board had not committed any mistake when it cleared Mwendwa to deputise Petra in the elections.
The matter was put to rest after the Committee’s legal Officer clarified to MPs that according to Article 37 of the Federation’s constitution the law allowed Mwendwa to run as a deputy.
Mwingi West MP, Charles Nguna said the Committee should not dwell too much on the matter after it was clarified by both the legal officer and the chairman on the Electoral Board.
Busia Women Representative, Hon. Catherine Omanyo and Hon. Robert Basil asked the Board to ensure that the eagerly awaited elections were free and fair. Owila told the Committee measures have been put in place to ensure that the elections were credible, free and fair.
“The Board has already finished training returning officers ahead of the county elections that commence on 9th of this month and the presidential polls,” he explained.
He added: “I want to assure the Committee that fake delegates will no longer participate in the elections as it has been before.”
The Committee asked the Board to present to MPs a list of all delegates who will vote in the elections. Owila assured the Committee that he will avail the list in two days.