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THE Kenyan government have disbanded the country’s football controlling body, over corruption allegations, and other shortcomings in the execution of their mandate The decision came hours before Kenya took on Uganda in a 2022 World Cup qualifier in Kampala, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Kandanda House, the FKF headquarters in Nairobi, was sealed by armed security guards yesterday.

Sports Minister, Amina Mohamed, said they will now seek to have any of the officials, found culpable, to be prosecuted.

It’s a major move by the Kenyans, on a continent where governments have always resisted the temptation of firing their football federations, because of fears of possible FIFA sanctions.

Mohamed said the action was taken after a government investigation into the finances of the Football Kenya Federation revealed they had failed to account for all funds received from the Government and other sponsors.

She said in a statement there would be a further probe to “establish the extent to which the misappropriation of funds in FKF may have occurred, with a view of prosecuting those who may be found culpable”.

The Minister named a caretaker committee, led by a retired judge, to run the federation’s affairs until fresh elections are held in six months’ time.

“Over the past few years, the Football Kenya Federation has faced several governance issues that have been of great concern to the Ministry,” Mohamed said.

She said the FKF had “failed to account for all the monies allocated to it by the government”.

The federation is “required to fully disclose any financial assistance received from other sponsors”, she said, adding that FKF “had fallen short of this requirement”.

Mohamed said Kenya had informed FIFA about the outcome of the government investigation.

‘’On 14th October 2021, I directed the Registrar of Sports to undertake an inspection of Football Kenya Federation pursuant to Section 52 (1) of the Sports Act (2013) following an extended deterioration of the state of football management in Kenya,’’ Mohamed said in a statement.

‘’The Sports Act allows the Ministry to intervene in the management of sports organisations where a sports organisation fails to adhere to proper corporate governance processes that include financial management.

‘’Over the past few years, the Football Kenya Federation has faced several governance issues that have been of great concern to the Ministry.

‘’First, the Football Kenya Federation has failed to account for all the monies allocated to it by the Government. All beneficiaries of the Fund are as a matter of course trained on how to apply, utilise and account for the funds.

‘’The beneficiaries are also aware that they are required to fully disclose any financial assistance received from other sponsors. Football Kenya Federation has fallen short of this requirement.’’

She said the recommendations were that the FKF board be removed from office.

“The Registrar has forwarded the report to my office with the following recommendations:

◆ DCI, NIS and EACC carry out further investigation to establish the extent to which the misappropriation of funds in FKF may have occurred with a view of prosecuting those who may be found culpable

◆ The current officials of FKF be removed from office to pave way for further investigations pending conclusion.

◆ A Caretaker Committee be appointed to manage the affairs of FKF for a period not exceeding 6 months. This has been successful in other jurisdictions in recent years, the likes of Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana and Chad amongst others.

◆  A special audit of the books of accounts of FKF be carried out and subsequent frequent future audits.

◆ The government of Kenya should invoke Article 17 and 58 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (2020 edition) by informing FIFA Secretariat Investigation Chamber on the outcome of the Inspection.

◆  No bank account should be opened by FKF henceforth unless authorised by the Principal Secretary within the six-month period the caretaker committee will be in place.

◆  The Ministry of Sports culture and Heritage and the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund not to release any funds to FKF unless and until the previous funds are fully accounted for.

◆  The government to continue its public sensitisation programme through the Registrar’s office to enable members of the public, sports organizations, professional sports bodies, persons and officials to be well versed with Sports Act and all the other relevant laws.

◆  Following these recommendations and in order to preserve the sport of Football, I have decided to appoint a Football Kenya Federation Caretaker Committee comprising of the following for a period of six-months.’’ — AP/TheCitizen/TheNation/TheStandard.