Kenya’s football community witnessed an electrifying night of fiery exchanges as six candidates vying for the position of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president squared off in the first-ever FKF Presidential Debate. Held in Nairobi, this landmark event gave the candidates the chance to present their visions for the future of Kenyan football, just weeks before the crucial December 7 elections.
While the debate started with the candidates outlining their policies on pressing issues like youth football development, league management, and sports infrastructure, it soon escalated into a war of words, with personal accusations taking center stage. In particular, former FKF Chief Executive Barry Otieno and FKF executive member Chris Amimo found themselves on the defensive, facing allegations related to financial mismanagement and match-fixing scandals that have plagued the organization in recent years.
Setting the Stage: The Candidates Present Their Vision for Kenyan Football
The debate featured six prominent candidates: Tom Alila, Sam Ocholla, Barry Otieno, Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino, Cleophas Shimanyula, and Chris Amimo. The candidates wasted no time in laying out their plans for reforming Kenyan football. A central topic of discussion was youth football development, with all candidates agreeing that Kenya’s footballing future rests on nurturing talent at the grassroots level.
Tom Alila called for a revamp of the FKF constitution, proposing that schools be formally incorporated into the federation’s structure as key stakeholders. Alila’s idea received considerable attention, with many acknowledging the crucial role schools play in football development. On the other hand, Barry Otieno and Chris Amimo focused on the need for stronger management structures to sustain growth, emphasizing that they had overseen several important reforms during their tenure with FKF.
Sam Ocholla and Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino voiced their dissatisfaction with the current state of football infrastructure, promising to prioritize building and maintaining proper sports facilities across the country. Cleophas Shimanyula, known for his outspoken nature, passionately criticized the state of the local leagues and vowed to bring immediate reforms
Tom Alila: Top tier leagues must run on their own. Once they are given autonomy we will have better regulations.
We also must have proper sponsorships.Watch LIVE: https://t.co/r1vJQlGf7W#FKFPresidentialDebate pic.twitter.com/w1XEmSCwbQ
— Radio Jambo (@RadioJamboKenya) October 25, 2024
if elected.
Accusations and Defenses: Otieno and Amimo Under Fire
What began as a relatively calm discussion quickly turned heated as the debate progressed. The candidates began questioning the integrity and transparency of FKF’s current and former leadership. At the heart of the crossfire were Barry Otieno and Chris Amimo, both of whom held prominent positions within FKF before their recent resignations.
One of the most contentious issues was the alleged misappropriation of funds during their time in office. Otieno, as the former FKF CEO, was specifically asked about his involvement in financial scandals that rocked the federation, including the misuse of funds earmarked for football development and the failure to account for significant sums. Otieno responded by claiming that there was “no active case” against him, and that all prior court summons related to financial misconduct had been dismissed as malicious and unsubstantiated. He added that previous charges brought against him and FKF President Nick Mwendwa had been thrown out due to the lack of credible evidence.
Chris Amimo, another key figure in FKF’s previous administration, faced scrutiny over allegations linked to his involvement with Ligi Ndogo FC, which he had founded. Critics accused Amimo of prioritizing the interests of his club over broader national football objectives. He brushed off these allegations, admitting that “mistakes happen to the best of us,” but emphasized that his goal had always been to improve Kenyan football through his involvement with FKF.
Match-Fixing Scandal Sparks Heated Exchange
The debate reached its peak when the discussion turned to the issue of match-fixing, which has been a persistent problem in Kenyan football for years. Cleophas Shimanyula, one of the more vocal candidates, accused the FKF leadership of turning a blind eye to the scourge of match-fixing, claiming that referees and match officials had gone unpaid for three years, which left them vulnerable to corruption.
Barry Otieno quickly rebutted this statement, asserting that all referees and officials had been paid, and that allegations of non-payment were unfounded. He stressed the importance of verifying facts before making accusations and reiterated that match-fixing was a global issue that required cooperation between all stakeholders.
Despite Otieno’s defense, the other candidates continued to push for reforms to tackle the match-fixing crisis. Sam Ocholla proposed implementing stricter oversight and accountability mechanisms to root out corruption in Kenyan football, while Sammy Owino suggested partnering with international organizations to investigate and prosecute those involved in fixing matches.
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Transparency and Accountability: The Budget Debate
Another key issue raised during the debate was the handling of FKF’s budget and financial transparency. Otieno, who was a key figure in the federation’s financial management, came under fire once again as several candidates questioned the transparency of the federation’s transactions. They alleged that FKF had failed to provide clear financial statements to clubs and other stakeholders, leading to concerns over mismanagement.
Otieno defended his record, stating that all financial statements had been made available to clubs before every Annual General Meeting (AGM). He was backed by several club members present at the debate, who confirmed that they had received the necessary financial reports. However, critics like Ocholla and Owino insisted that there were still discrepancies in how FKF handled its finances, accusing the federation of failing to prioritize the interests of clubs.
Amid these accusations, Otieno made it clear that the issue was not about a lack of transparency but rather about the competing priorities of club owners who were “probably busy running their clubs and private businesses” rather than focusing on federation matters.
A Glimpse Into the Future of Kenyan Football
As the night wore on, the debate frequently shifted from policy discussions to personal defenses, reflecting the deep divisions within the football community. Despite this, the debate provided voters with a glimpse into the personalities and visions of the six candidates who hope to lead Kenyan football into a new era.
While the fiery exchanges may have taken center stage, the debate raised important questions about the future of youth football development, league management, and financial transparency—all issues that will shape the future of Kenyan football in the coming years.
A Glimpse of the Battles Ahead
The inaugural FKF Presidential Debate was more than just a showcase of policies—it was a battleground of words, accusations, and defenses. With six candidates vying for the presidency, the debate revealed the stark contrasts between their visions and the personal challenges they face. As election day approaches on December 7, the Kenyan football community is left with plenty to consider as they prepare to vote for the next leader of FKF.
