Immediate Former FKF President Nick Mwendwa has made explosive claims regarding Saturday’s Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections, alleging that the process was compromised to favor the Hussein Mohamed-led “Team Fresh.” The election, held at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, saw Mohamed clinch victory after a runoff, succeeding Mwendwa, who had served as president for eight years.
Mwendwa ran as Doris Petra’s deputy under “Team Blue,” which secured 31 votes in the first round, trailing Mohamed’s 42 votes. Former FKF CEO Barry Otieno garnered 10 votes. A runoff was planned with no candidate reaching the required majority, but Petra conceded, paving the way for a direct contest between Otieno and Mohamed. Mohamed ultimately emerged victorious.
Speaking after the results, Mwendwa alleged widespread irregularities, including manipulation of voter rolls and obstruction of delegates. “Delegates were blocked from attending, and some were coerced into voting a particular way. This wasn’t an election; it was a pre-determined charade,” he claimed. He further accused the Hesbon Owilla-led electoral body of succumbing to external pressures, undermining its independence.
The election process was contentious even before polling day. Legal battles over Mwendwa’s eligibility to contest as a deputy sparked debate, with some citing term limits in the Sports Act, while others pointed to FKF’s constitutional loopholes that permitted his candidacy. Additionally, delays in resolving court injunctions disrupted the election timeline throughout the year.
Mwendwa has called on FIFA to intervene, urging the global body to investigate the electoral process and restore fairness. “FIFA must take action to safeguard Kenyan football. This was a blatant abuse of power, and our game deserves better,” he said.
Despite the defeat, Mwendwa vowed to remain active in Kenyan football. “This fight isn’t over. We owe it to our players and fans to ensure a transparent and accountable federation,” he asserted.
Hussein Mohamed has yet to respond to the allegations. Still, he faces the immediate challenge of uniting a football community polarized by the contentious elections and preparing Kenya for upcoming continental hosting duties.
