Shocking details emerge about last-minute maneuvers in FKF election process

A local publication has reported that last-minute government involvement and disruptions played a significant role in FKF election outcomes.

If there was any lingering doubt about the intense competition ahead of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections on December 6, 2024, the events leading up to the vote made it abundantly clear.

With two main camps battling for control, one led by Dorris Petra under the ‘Team Blue’ banner, and the other by Hussein Mohammed and his ‘Fresh Start’ team, the stage was set for a dramatic showdown.

However, according to the local publication People Daily, what unfolded in the final 12 hours before the vote would go on to reshape the course of the elections, with accusations of government interference, phone tapping, and jamming of money transfer services dominating the narrative.

As the clock ticked down to election day, Dorris Petra’s ‘Team Blue’ appeared poised for a win.

With 48 delegates allegedly gathered at a luxurious Nairobi hotel for a two-night stay, it seemed the camp had the numbers locked in.

To win the presidency, only 46 votes were needed, and all signs pointed to Petra’s camp securing a clear victory.

Meanwhile, Hussein Mohammed, widely considered to be Petra’s main rival, had only six delegates at his camp, which was also held at a high-end lodge on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

However, as the night wore on, changes began to unfold.

Reports from the same publication suggest that some behind-the-scenes actions might have influenced the election results, with claims that government officials played a significant role in altering the script in the final hours before voting took place.

"It is believed that some State functionaries played a major role in turning around the script in the last 12 hours. Candidates reportedly received several calls from top Government officials and their telephones were tapped to ensure that any monetary funds that exchanged hands could be flagged and the recipient was immediately called or texted and warned against voting for selected camps," the article detailed.

The chaos seemed to escalate as election day approached.

According to reports, money transfer services were mysteriously jammed for two hours at the venue of the election, only to resume after most voters had already cast their ballots.

This disruption raised further suspicions, particularly as it seemed to coincide with key moments in the election process.

Despite the uncertainty, the election proceeded, and what followed was nothing short of shocking.

The first round of voting, ‘Team Blue’ was left stunned as it only managed to secure 31 votes, far from the 48 delegates it had expected.

Meanwhile, Hussein Mohammed’s ‘Fresh Start’ camp emerged with 42 votes. Barry Otieno earned 10 votes, Cleophas Shimanyula secured four, while Sammy Owino 'Kempes' and Tom Alila garnered just two and one vote, respectively.

The remaining candidates, Chris Amimo and Sam Ocholla, failed to gain any votes. With the first round behind them, many were left wondering what had happened in the final moments before the vote.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who had been involved in the vetting process for the FKF elections, took to social media after the results were announced, expressing his satisfaction with the outcome.

He congratulated Hussein Mohammed on his win and reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing term limits and ensuring good governance in sports.

“I made a solemn promise during my vetting for this docket that I would unlock the election impasse in FKF and that we shall enforce the law of term limits. That promise has been fulfilled today following the election of the new office-bearers of FKF,” Murkomen posted on Twitter.

He added, “Congratulations Hussein Mohammed and McDonald Mariga on your election today as the president and vice-president of FKF respectively. Congratulations to all other elected office bearers. I have not an iota of doubt that you are the best possible team that will inject new dynamism, energy and fresh ideas into the management of our football."

As the election proceeded into a second round, Hussein Mohammed was declared the winner, securing 67 votes, well beyond the 50 percent threshold needed.

His victory solidified the fresh direction he promised during his campaign, which included a focus on infrastructure development and uniting Kenyan football. His deputy, former Kenyan international and Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga, joined him in celebrating the win.

“This victory is for every fan, player, and club dreaming of a better future,” said Mohammed after his win.

“Thank you for believing in a fresh start.”

He promised to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to improve the state of football in Kenya, setting the tone for his new leadership.

‘Fresh Start’ also claimed seven National Executive Committee (NEC) positions, while ‘Team Blue’ managed to secure two regional positions. In addition, independent candidate Kerubo Momanyi was elected as the Women’s Representative.

In the aftermath of the election, many were left reflecting on the claims of government involvement and the last-minute disruptions that shaped the election outcome.

Whether these interventions were intentional or coincidental, the dramatic twists in the lead-up to the FKF elections will likely be remembered as a key turning point in Kenyan football’s governance.