Sports Updates

Opinion: Are some Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential contenders sincere about their protest of the electoral code in the fourth-coming national elections?

Nairobi, Monday, August 17, 2020, By James Kamau

On the surface some of the protests by certain candidates look justified. However, looked at deeply, it smacks of mischief and a certain fear of the polls.

Among the most contentious requirements is that candidates who want to contest must have served in any capacity for two of the last five years.

Surprisingly, those who have raised protest about the requirement qualify themselves raising questions as to their motive.

Do they really want elections in the first place or are they scared of losing?

Herbert Mwachiro is a former FKF Deputy Secretary General and is one of the presidential contenders in this year’s elections. but
surprisingly, Mwachiro has dismissed the requirement even though he is not barred considering that it is less than three years since he left FKF and therefore qualifies to contest.
So, one wonders, why does Mwachiro have a problem with this requirement? Or he is simply scared of the forth-coming elections as he does not have support on the ground.

Former FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya has been in the forefront of dismissing the newly released electoral code even though the last elections which he presided over had the same requirements.
Nyamweya also qualifies to contest having been the first chairman of FKF.

Nicholas Musonye who has joined Nyamweya in protesting the rules is a former Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Secretary General a position he was forced out a few months ago. So, one wonders why he is opposed to these requirements.

As for Aduda, Twaha Mbarak, Alex Ole Magelo, and others, the least needs to be said.

Though they have also been vocal in protesting the requirements, they have no capacity to mount a stab at the top seat in FKF. They are just busybodies not keen on seeing the process end but are glad to cause as much delay as possible. The electoral board should ignore them with the contempt it deserves.

James Kamau is the outgoing FKF Aberdares Branch Secretary

OPINION: Who is this man GMT Ottieno

The writer of this article is a retired Fóotball Referee

Players throw GMT Ottieno out of the pitch during a past football match.[Photo: courtesy]

The football fraternity read with shock GMT Ottieno’s personal attack on Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa.

In a piece in a local daily, the former referee claims that Mwendwa has clung into office after the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) ruled that the team of office for the current office has expired.

The opinion itself is laughable considering that Mwendwa is hardly four years into office and the idea of clinging into office does not arise at all. At 78 years of age, GMT ottieno was already a referee while Mwendwa was just a tolder.

While many of his age-mates have either retired or died, GMT Ottieno has refused to leave the scene for younger people and continues to compete with them for secretarial jobs at the Kenyan Premier League (KPL)!

This is a job that should be carried out by GMT Ottieno’s grandchild and not even his son who must be older than Mwendwa whom he accuses of clinging into office.

So before GMT Ottieno accuses Mwendwa of refusing to leave office he should first of all look at himself.

Furthermore, the octagorian is behind the current wrangles bedeviling the Kenya Referees Association (KEFORA). The association has not held elections for the longest time and all because every time polls are due, GMT Ottieno runs to court to stop the process.

His time is fast running up as he cannot continue this way forever. Shamefully and being a member of the Sports Dispute Tribunal, he is not allowed to disucss matters before the tribunal.

By attacking the FKF president, GMT Ottienoe has proven that he doesnot udnerstyand his role at the tribunal as the matter is still active before the SDT and has not been concluded.

It is also shameful that GMT continues to discuss before the tribunal in public forums which in itself is unethical and for this alone, he should be kicked out.

But knowing the old man, he is full of bitterness and has never accepted that a young man much younger than his own son can be the president of the national federation.

It is something that GMT Ottieno has never accepted and has continud to show disdain for Mwendwa and the current office. It is time for GMT to go home and pave way for young referees to take over his role.

After all he has nothing to show for once being a Fifa referee where he served for less than one year and left under questionable circumstances.

FKF Branch officials dismiss normalization committee talk

FKF officials keenly follow the proceedings during a past conference.The officials have dismissed calls for talks by the normalization committee. [Photo: Kitui Newspaper/2020]


All the 20 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) branch officials have dismissed suggestions to form a normalization committee insisting there is no crisis to warrant such an action.
The branches also pointed out that the current office has managed to create stability and resorting to a normalization committee will reverse all the gains that have been made in the last four years.
North East South chairman Abdulahi Salat said normalization committees are an opportunity for unpopular officials to come into office.
“We do not need such a committee for now. These are for weak people who have no support and are looking for short-cut to come into office. Let the elections be repeated since we have a board in place for that purpose.”
South Rift secretary Alfred Kirui termed the current office led by Nick Mwendwa is the most vibrant that has lifted soccer standards.
“We have a good infrastructure and the eligibility was brought in place to ensure that only those who are interested in football take up administrative roles,” he said.
Hussein Dima the chairman of Upper Eastern branch said since coming into office, there is a lot of progress at the grassroots.
“We have not missed any major events and avoided wrangles and maintained stability even though we came into office saddled by huge debts.”
South Coast chairman Gabriel Mghendi said those advocating for a normalisation committee have nothing to lose.
“They do not know the kind of impact that move can have. We are not in a crisis but this will push us into one.
Western branch secretary Kelwin Elegwa said the current officials have not refused to vacate office.
“Twice the electoral process was interrupted and it shows they were ready to leave if they lost. As it is, we do not have a vacuum at all to warrant a normalization committee.”
Branch Chairmen who supported this position include Michael Majua (FKF Nairobi East), Eric Makokha (North Western), Yobes Onkanga (Nyanza South), Kenneth Rutto (Central Rift), Gordon Davies Chege (Aberdares Branch), Bernard Lagat (North Rift Branch), Moses Akali (Western Branch), Fuad Ali (North Coast Branch), and David Bunei (South Rift Branch)

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Fear grips FKF league after a civilian whips out pistol, threatens rival fans

Emotions are running high among Kitui football fans after an incidence where a civilian drew out a pistol and threatened fans during a football match on Sunday evening.

The scene, which allegedly took place when Matinyani FC were hosting Mutanda FC at the Matinyani DEB grounds in the ongoing Kitui County FKF league, a civilian was captured on camera pulling out his handgun in the middle of the crowd and brandishing it at the fans.
According to eyewitnesses, a mild scuffle ensued after the last whistle was blown, where Matinyani FC fans assaulted a Mutanda FC player; prompting the rival fans to step in and defend their own. In the drama that ensued, the civilian, who was on the Matinyani FC fans stand; drew out a firearm from his belt and openly brandished it at the rivals, to the full shock of the crowds.
Interestingly though, there were two fully armed uniformed officers on the scene, who had been assigned to provide security during the match, and none reacted to the drama: either by baring their firearms, or disarming the civilian who apparently was exposing hundreds of fans to grave danger. In an exclusive camshot, one of the uniformed Officer is caught walking away in a carefree manner, as the civilian rocks his gun in the crowd like Rambo!

On seeking answers from FKF, the chairman Mr. Gilbert Mutema was quite evasive with his answers. In an exclusive interview with the Kitui Newspaper reporter, Mr. Mutema claimed that Mutanda FC fans had threatened to disarm and assault the uniformed officers in the field, prompting the civilian (who he claims is a known DCI officer at the Matinyani Police Station) to take one of the officers’ guns and defend them. He further added that four fans were arrested for assaulting officers on duty and attempting to forcefully take their firearms. According to Mr. Mutema, the four were detained overnight at the Matinyani Police Station cells.
However, investigations revealed that one of the fans was released at midnight on Sunday, and the rest on Monday, without any charges pressed!
Questioned how such a matter; that might have necessitated for a civilian to brandish a gun and endanger lives of hundreds of innocent fans; could be treated so lightly, the chairman shrugged it off with, “Waliongea kinyumbani!”

When Kitui Newspaper further sought the police version of the incident, the Matinyani OCPD Mr. Sawe said over the phone that he was away for some time and wasn’t aware of the incident. Despite his promise to have the reports Office call back for the briefs, nothing had sufficed yet, by the time of going to press. He refused to comment on whether the civilian was an officer in his station or not, saying that he didn’t have the vaguest clue such a thing actually happened.

Now, a large faction of football fans in Kitui County are worried that FKF management has failed to provide a conducive, safe and fairly competitive environment for the game.

“We can’t have a football match that ends with guns drawn,”  fumed Victor Muli, the Mutanda FC chairman and sponsor, “We have put investment into that team to allow hooliganism and non action from FKF!”
“Such only happens in mafia nation!” He added.

This comes at a time when police officers have made recent news for wanton shooting and killings of civilians.

OPINION: What Ails Kitui County Sports

Thursday September 27, Mwingi. By John Munyoki

Football has became one of the best earning, entertaining and mostly watched game in entire world. In 2010, 3.4 billion people watched the World Cup soccer championship And also Champions League finals according to Forbes.
In KITUI COUNTY we have never taken football to a higher level, compared to the counties of Migori, Kisumu, Mombasa and also Nakuru County; where most of the players in our National Team Harambee Stars dwell.

What is it not done to get at least one player who is playing for Harambee Stars?
Why is our soccer not attractive?
Does is it mean no one who is concerned about the future of our county’s talents?

Here some of The Challenges Facing our football Talents!

1. FOOTBALL ACADEMIES: Kitui County hasn’t established any football academy to tap on our upcoming talents! We can’t have players who haven’t been properly trained in our academies.
Most of the big clubs normally attract those players from the academies. If we could only have at least 3 academies we could even export many young talents to join the likes of Victor Wanyama, who plays for Tottenham Hotspurs , and Eric Johanna, who plays for a Swedish club

2. SPORTS LEADERSHIP:
For Gods sake you can’t choose an engineer or a businessman to run the sports committee or docket since he/she doesn’t understand what should be done or the challenges facing our football players in our county.
A well reputed sportsperson should always be a follower and fan, who loves the game. He/she must have the ability to trend in sports activities across Kitui County.

Our County Minister for Sports should balance that ministry. He is too much into Culture and Tourism, stamping down our sports. I have never seen him inviting coaches from even KPL leagues to snatch our great talents here.

3. SPORTS KITTY:
Does Kitui County have a sport kitty? If yes where and when does that kitty apply ?
I have been doing rounds across this county and some of the clubs play in very pathetic conditions and with deplorable equipments likes of football and even the pitches. You find a club in Kaningo in Mwingi North and they can’t even afford a ball, but they got a desire to play soccer, yet their dreams are being buried by lack of sports equipments. Yet we have Sports kitty which goes into peoples’ pocket at the end of Financial year.

Lastly the county Government should establish serious sportsmen and women who have the desire to make this county a diversified in terms of sports. I believe right now we should be having our own Gor Mahia or AFC leopards which are community based clubs and great clubs in this country. Believe me, it can be done and it is possible to make it.
Kitui if full of Talents!

John Joneta Munyoki is a renown Sports Journalist from Mwingi West sub-county. He is a Graduate of NIBS college and has worked with ATG Radio 91.0 fm as Sports anchor, commentator, Reporter and also Editor For 3yrs.

He currently does Sports Research and Talent mentoring for youths.
Email: Jonetamunyoki@gmail.com

Call for Intervention, As Talented Youths Result to Brick-making and Manual Jobs to Fund the ongoing FKF Kitui County League.

Wednesday, September 26, Kitui. By Brian Peter

Teams warming up ready for a game during the ongoing FKF Kitui County League. Youths have resulted to Brick-making and such manual jobs to finance the league and logistics as the league management requires each team to pay the referee ksh. 2,000 per game.

Kitui County youths are calling on the government and well-wishers to intervene and sponsor them in the ongoing FKF Kitui County Football League.

Most of these talented youths can barely eke a living, with most of them unemployed and residing in their rural homes with no definite sources of income. Most of the team members playing in the league have resulted to desperate alternatives of making money to fund the league and cover logistics expenses; ranging from brick-making, sand harvesting, construction casuals and such manual jobs.

Wii FC team members engaging in brick making to raise money for the FKF Kitui County Football League. The team will be playing against Torenion FC on Saturday 30th September at the Wii Primary grounds

After a successful conclusion of the league,some of the well performing teams will proceed to a higher rank which is Division 2. This covers the Eastern Region from Isiolo, Kitui,Machacos to Makueni counties.”Our biggest worry remains: will the youths be able to pay for the referee fee in the division 2, which in the past has never been less than Ksh. 5,000 and pay the security fees as well?” wondered Robinson Sammy, the organizing Secretary Utoo FC, one of the teams on top of the league. “Again, how will the teams cater for accommodation and transport to all these places with brick making which is seasonal?” he added.

In the current league Division 1, each team has been required to pay a referee fee of Ksh. 2,000 for each match they play, which totals to Ksh. 4,000. Travelling expenses for the away matches, meals and refreshments, and the emergency kitty brings the total to around Ksh. 10,000. Most of these teams have a game almost every weekend.

“It’s getting harder for us with every single day, “disclosed Robinson in an interview with Kitui Newspaper. “The youth have shown lots of determination and dedication towards nurturing our talents, what I can’t understand is why the County government and our elected leaders have continued to ignore us all this time! “he lamented.

None of the teams are aware whether there exists any budget for the league either from the County or National Government. Efforts to reach the league organisers have been futile, as the provided telephone number was still going unanswered by the time of going to press.

At a glance, the FKF Kitui County Football League:-

Utoo FC of Kitui West in action during a past game.

The Kitui FKF County Football League kicked off on 27/05/2018 with a total of 10 teams from the Kitui sub-branch and 11 teams in the mwingi sub-branch which makes a total of 21 teams from Kitui county. The league is intended to come to an end on the 18/11/2018. The teams from Kitui sub branch are
Dynamo FC from Kitui Central
Majengo Heros Kitui Central
Utoo FC Kitui West
Ikanga FC Kitui South
Kwa-Vonza United from Kitui Rural
Kathivo FV from Kitui West
Torenian Kitui West
Kyanika FC Kitui East
Mutune FC from Kitui Central
And Wii FC from Kitui Central.
The various clubs pay a referee fee of 2000 per match every weekend and need organised security for referees. Players also cater for their own transport expenses and meals for all away matches.

League fixtures and table of points for the FKF Kitui County League Division1 Pool A

Russia 2018 World Cup exposes Africans’ rigidity

By Yasin Musa AyamiI have taken particular interest in watching the performance of African teams at the Russia 2018 World Cup.

Interestingly, Africa has scored only three goals so far with each of our teams save Senegal losing their match mostly in the dying minutes of the game.

I have observed that even with so much attacking talent, African teams love to defend.

It is as if they go into the game to maintain the same result before the game.

Learning from the way African teams play, I have noted that their play is not different from the way most Africans approach life.

Africans love to defend their status.

They keep unproductive pieces of land for generations, they shun business events, they defend irrelevant customs, traditions, they stick to economic activities that keep their poverty intact.

An African will defend a worthless job till retirement.

Africans are afraid to attack poverty and will find every reason to defend their sorry state.

There is very little to celebrate in Africa because we do not win.

Examine yourself.

What do you defend in your life? It is exciting to attack. Attack changes results, it brings euphoria, it makes life worth living. Start attacking what keeps you miserable now.

Watching Tunisia with all their attacking talent, speed and energy, I was left wondering why they opted to defend only to concede a heartbreaking last minute goal from the team that chose to attack.

Learn the bad lesson of defending from the African team and choose attack as your lifestyle.

Am off to attack!

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