The Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba has admitted government concern in the unending court cases that have derailed the process of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) holding their eagerly awaited elections.

While responding to a question from the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, who had queried the status of the exercise to elect new FKF officials, Namwamba termed the delay a great concern to FKF, the government, and Kenyans at large.

“Government is disturbed that the unending court cases may jeopardise forthcoming FKF elections, given the current example of staying AGM and therefore, elections,” said Namwamba in a statement obtained by Africa Top Sports. “We wish to be proactive that in the event the cases fail to conclude in good time for FKF elections what becomes of the whole scenario?”

FKF were due to hold an AGM on March 16 to lay down modalities for holding elections. However, Sports journalist Milton Nyakundi moved to a Mombasa High Court a day before the exercise and successfully obtained an order stopping the same citing the legality of the federation to convene the meeting. Since then, the case has been dragging in court with no judgment being delivered.

Namwamba, however, warned the government would not sit and watch the sport they had heavily invested in going down. “Government has invested heavily in the football space in Kenya, and cannot thus afford to just spectate as things go wrong,” added Namwamba.

“We have very tight deadlines, given that the current FKF’s term ends by October 2024. If the FKF AGM is not held by October and the Electoral code and independent body are not in place, the NEC would be legally out of office, leaving a vacuum in the leadership of the FKF,” explained Namwamba.

After the AGM had failed to take place, the World governing body FIFA warned Kenya of a possible ban if operations of FKF were interfered with by third parties.

According to Namwamba the unending cases could jeopardise Kenya’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, AFCON 2025 qualifiers, whose draw was conducted on Thursday, Harambee Starlets and U17 Women qualifiers, and the co-hosting rights for the African Nations Championships (CHAN) and 2027 AFCON through the Pamoja Bid.

Namwamba concluded: “FKF have appealed to the court to allow them to hold the AGM, and to enable them to plan for elections. This appeal is, however, yet to be determined, the consequence of which is that the Elections panel and Electoral Code to jumpstart the election process are not in place.

“These two organs must be in place for at least six (6) months before elections. This, therefore, makes the October 2024 deadline for holding FKF elections non-feasible.”