Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential hopeful Hussein Mohammed has expressed serious concerns over the composition and operations of the newly unveiled FKF Elections Board.

The five-member board, which was unveiled on Monday, is tasked with overseeing the federation’s elections by December 15, but Mohammed is questioning whether it can deliver a transparent, free, and fair electoral process.

FKF has officially unveiled the electoral board formed adopted during their special general meeting that will conduct the presidential elections slated for December.

In a strongly worded statement, Mohammed emphasized his commitment to supporting a credible election, but raised significant doubts about the board’s ability to remain impartial.

“We are acutely aware of past and ongoing attempts to manipulate the voter register by certain individuals within the FKF Secretariat. This practice cannot be allowed to continue. The voter register must be made public, transparent, and safeguarded from tampering to ensure that every eligible voter has a fair say in this election,” said Mohammed in his statement.

He further argued that the board’s independence could be compromised by its operational base at Kandanda House, the current headquarters of the FKF.

Mohammed asserted that this proximity to current FKF officials, some of whom are running for positions in the upcoming election, undermines the integrity of the process.

“The FKF Electoral Board must demonstrate its independence by operating from a neutral location, entirely detached from Kandanda House. This is crucial to ensure the electoral process remains free from undue influence by current FKF officials, many of whom are also contenders,” he added.

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In a bid to ensure credibility, Mohammed has called for the involvement of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Kenya’s national election body, to oversee the FKF elections.

According to him, the IEBC has the expertise and neutrality necessary to ensure that the elections are conducted fairly.

“To guarantee impartiality and professionalism, we strongly urge the Electoral Board to engage the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to oversee the elections. IEBC has the technical expertise and experience necessary to ensure a credible and transparent process,» he added.

Mohammed also pointed out that any disputes regarding the voter register or other electoral grievances should be addressed at the grassroots level, rather than centrally in Nairobi.

He believes that handling disputes locally will empower football stakeholders at the grassroots and ensure that their concerns are addressed promptly and fairly.

“All voter register disputes and other electoral grievances must be resolved at the grassroots level, where they originate, rather than in Nairobi. This approach will empower local football stakeholders and ensure their concerns are addressed fairly and promptly,” he said.

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Further, Mohammed highlighted the importance of adhering to the Sports Act 2013 and the FKF constitution.

“To enhance accessibility and fairness, we demand that polling stations for branch grassroots elections be located at county headquarters. This will allow football delegates and voters to participate in the process without facing unnecessary logistical challenges and intimidation,” he concluded.

The newly appointed FKF Elections Board will be chaired by Hesbon Owilla, with Merceline Sande serving as Secretary.

Other members include James Waindi, president of the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK), Dan Mule, a former AFC Leopards chairman, and Alfred Ng’ang’a.

Despite Mohammed’s concerns, the board has assured stakeholders that it will ensure a credible electoral process.

Owilla defended the decision to operate from Kandanda House, explaining that it was made after careful consideration and in accordance with regulations.

“Anyone who wants to interact with all the other possibilities will reach the very same conclusion—that if the regulations provide for that location, the board has a responsibility to ensure that it serves the interests of all aspirants without any undue influence,” said Owilla.

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In the coming days, the board is expected to release a detailed roadmap for the elections, outlining the procedures and timelines to ensure transparency and effective communication with all involved parties.

However, Mohammed’s concerns remain, and he has vowed to hold the board accountable if it fails to adhere to the principles of transparency, fairness, and integrity.

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