The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Electoral Board is facing intense scrutiny following their controversial decision to disqualify nine candidates from participating in the upcoming county elections. Twaha Mbarak, running mate to Cleophas Shimanyula, has vehemently criticized the board’s actions, asserting that the disqualification violates the candidates’ rights, as they have met all the eligibility criteria outlined in the FKF electoral code.
The nine candidates in question are Salim Ali Said from Mombasa, Eliakim Mbaliwa from Nakuru, Bwanamku Fumo from Lamu, Isaac Munene from Trans Nzoia, Patrick Kamora from Tana River, Zablon Mwanyumba from Taita Taveta, Kefa Onditi from Nakuru, Abdisalam Ahmed from Mandera, and Daudi Ali from Wajir. Mbarak also highlighted that 25 eligible clubs from the Garissa FKF County Branch have been unjustly barred from participating in the electoral process.
In a strongly worded statement, Mbarak said, “The disqualification not only undermines the integrity of the board but also casts serious doubts on its ability to conduct free, fair, credible, and verifiable elections.” He demanded the immediate reinstatement of the disqualified candidates and urged the board to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process by adhering strictly to its code and ensuring transparency and honesty. “Failure to address these issues will leave us with no option but to pursue all available legal means to protect the integrity of the process and protect the rights of the candidates,” he warned.
The controversy comes just a week after the board announced that 11 branch chairmen would be unopposed in the elections, either due to a lack of opposing candidates or the disqualification of some candidates. The unopposed county chairmen include Kenneth Ruto from Baringo, Maurice Ogweno from Homabay, Denis Murimi from Kirinyaga, Samuel Mwongela from Makueni, and Ismael Mohammed from Mandera. Others are James Lolochom from Samburu, Odha Hayesa from Tana River, Daniel Hibichu from Tharaka Nithi, and William Lokwe from Turkana.
The elections are set to commence this weekend with branch polls across 38 counties, paving the way for the national elections scheduled for Saturday, December 7. The FKF Electoral Board’s decisions and the ensuing controversy have cast a shadow over the upcoming elections, raising questions about the board’s ability to conduct a fair and transparent electoral process.
