Kenya Football .:. Story - Fkl Vow To Clean Their House

FOOTBALL Kenya Limited (FKL) has promised Kenyans to clean their image and put their act in order. In addition,the football body has requested the Government to give them an additional five acres of land next to the Fifa goal project premises for further development of football facilities.

The on-going FKL strategic planning seminar at Kasarani noted with concern that they were lagging behind in branch activities and promised to reactivate their programmes.

The seminar which is being conducted by two Fifa representatives Tihagiso Sonny Sethibe and Benjamin Koufe in conjunction with FKL came up with long plan development strategy which if well implemented, according to FKL vice Chairman
Titus Kasuve, Kenya will be a giant sporting nation.

In view of the many court cases and wrangles, FKL is planning to partner with the Law society of Kenya (LSK) for legal advise in a bid to end infighting. The newly formed soccer body further agreed to institute corporate governance and partner with the marketing society of Kenya (MSK) and the Kenya private sector.

The seminar further agreed that there is need to hire a finance officer and a personnel assistant for the smooth running of the FKL activities.

In a bid to facilitate Harambee Stars preparations and National teams participating in international matches, FKL Chief Executive Sammy Obingo said a proposal is being done to approach three leading companies like Safaricom Kenya Ltd and Zain to provide a 36 seater bus.

However, participants in the seminar accused Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) management for hijacking seminars and funds meant for football development.

Pictured: Participants at the on-going FIFA/FKL course in Kasarani.

Participants noted that it was unfair for one club to eat the National cake meant for the federation citing the Netherlands funding through Dutch KNVB that was diverted to MYSA instead of the Federation. Apparently, details emerged in the seminar of how the KNVB project was midwifed, with the revelation that it was a CAF/UEFA project with Kenya being earmarked as a pilot country. Codenamed "Meridian Project," Bob Munro was accused of conniving his was to KNVB and painting a picture of corruption in Kenya, making it possible for the funds to be diverted to him.

Participants also questioned why FIFA was wiring funds directly to him, and also giving him sensitive communication meant for FKL. Munro was said to be a beneficiary of FIFA money, in projects for Win in Africa with Africa, and Football for Hope in excess of $2 million, monies that should be benefitting the whole country instead of an individual.

It was further revealed that a shuttle bus used by Mathare United F.C. was part of the Meridian Project, which means that the bus should have been Kenyan property for the use of the National Team. The Stars currently use public service vehicles.

FKL referees appointing official Aziz Mohamed hit at Bob Munro saying he was the root cause of problems affecting Kenya. He was fully supported by members who said it was in bad taste for one person to hijack funds meant for football development to his own private matters.

Contacted for comment, Munro described the utterances directed at him as nonsense. The over 50 delegates including members of the Law Society of Kenya said it was unethical for somebody to take advantage of wrangles and personal differences to benefit from funds meant for the federation.

“Somebody wants to take advantage to fuel the war and give the international Associations bad image about us. We must be accountable and take football seriously and above all protect our Kenyan football" participants heard.

A bitter Aziz said Kenya was fed up with one foreigner who is the stumbling block in Kenya football. Similar sentiments were expressed separately by KFF chairman Sam Nyamweya who accused Munro of interfering virtually with football activities to the extend of planting his own cronies in the National team Harambee Stars.

"As long as Munro is calling the shots in the Kenya football, we shall never have peace in the country. Personally, I’m ready and willing to work with anybody as long as Munro is weeded out of football administration in the country. This is a man who talk’s direct to Fifa. To stamp his authority, he has ensured majority of Harambee Stars players come from Mathare United
including the coach,team manager Peter Serry who is a product of Mathare. Something must be done to avert the volatile situation," averred Nyamweya.