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Shikanda, who is set to leave his position as AFC Leopards chairman next year, won 25 delegates to clinch the Nairobi FKF National Excecutive Comitee (NEC) seat on Saturday,
Outgoing AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has delved into the strategy he used that won him a seat on the new FKF regime’s National Executive Committee, having won the Nairobi region by a narrow margin during the elections held at the Kasarani Gymnasium on Saturday.
Shikanda narrowly won the Nairobi region slot during Saturday's elections at Kasarani Gymnasium, polling 25 votes to edge out his closest rival, Michael Majua, who garnered 23.
Other competitors, Isaac Macharia and James Masese, received 21 and 16 votes respectively, while Athanas Obango managed only a single vote.
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Shikanda attributed his success to persistent engagement with delegates, despite being an independent candidate in a politically charged environment.
“The strategy has been talking to all delegates. Remember, I was independent and in an intricate position as both a voter and an aspirant,” Shikanda explained.
The election was marked by fierce competition, with major presidential candidates Hussein Mohammed and Nick Mwendwa fielding their own NEC representatives. Shikanda acknowledged the challenge of remaining neutral in such a polarized setting.
“I knew it would be tough because each presidential candidate was fielding a NEC member for Nairobi. But I thank God we had peaceful elections. People doubted we could even hold these elections; there were calls for a normalization committee. I had to go around and insist that elections were necessary,” he added.
Shikanda credited his victory to his extensive experience in elective positions and his ability to connect with delegates across the country.
“My people skills and background in football gave me an edge. Football brings us together, but unfortunately, the outgoing regime had been dividing us. I’ve been in elective positions before, and that experience helped me navigate the challenges.
“ The race was close, but I was confident because I had personally spoken to all the delegates,” he noted.
He also highlighted the intense last-minute efforts by camps to rally their supporters, making the win even more significant.
Shikanda’s election aligns with the broader theme of renewal following Hussein Mohammed’s election as FKF president.
The elections, conducted under the tagline “Fresh Start,” have ushered in a new chapter for Kenyan football, promising reforms and unity after years of political tensions within the federation.
As Shikanda transitions to his NEC role, he emphasized the importance of collaboration and hard work to rebuild the sport.
“It is important to elect people who can truly work for football. Now that the elections are behind us, we must focus on building a stronger future for the game,” he concluded.
With renewed leadership under Hussein Mohammed and a commitment to progress from key stakeholders like Shikanda, Kenyan football may finally be poised for a much-needed revival.
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