FKF Elections: Doris Petra warns of FIFA ban if Nick Mwendwa fails to contest for third term

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FOOTBALL FKF Elections: Doris Petra warns of FIFA ban if Nick Mwendwa fails to contest for third term

Festus Chuma 08:04 - 09.02.2024

FKF Vice President Doris Petra has challenged election eligibility ruling amidst legal and FIFA guidelines.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) vice president Doris Petra has thrown down the gauntlet in response to the barring of her boss, Nick Mwendwa, from seeking re-election in the forthcoming FKF elections. 

This bold stance comes after Sports Registrar Rose Wasike declared Mwendwa ineligible to run for a third term, citing a breach of tenure limits.

Petra, however, insists there is no legal ground to disqualify them, igniting a fiery debate within the football community.

"Let our opponents not fear and meet us at the ballot. FIFA has not informed us of any ineligibility for re-election. The law is on our side," Petra declared as per Nation.

Petra's defense of Mwendwa's eligibility centers around a nuanced interpretation of the FKF's legal and constitutional milestones.

According to her, their initial tenure from 2016 to 2020 falls under a different constitutional regime, predating significant amendments adopted in a 2017 AGM in Mombasa. 

"We won and served our first term from 2020 to 2023 because that is when the new constitution came into effect. We are seeking re-election because our serving under the old constitution from 2016 to 2020 can’t be counted. That is the law," Petra explained, laying out a legal rationale for their campaign.

This interpretation suggests a fresh perspective on term limits within the FKF, potentially setting the stage for a contentious election cycle. 

Amidst this backdrop, Petra also raised concerns about the motivations behind the registrar's decision, hinting at a possible "witch-hunt" against the current FKF officials.

The FKF vice president further warned of the possible international repercussions of meddling with the federation's electoral process, invoking the specter of FIFA sanctions.

“FIFA are our financiers and we follow their laws but we also respect government institutions. Facts are facts and it is the same registrar and Sport Dispute Tribunal who allowed the same electoral code which is now being disputed, to be used in the last election,” she said. 

The FKF vice president also revealed that a resolution was passed by the FKF NEC on January 6 to use the 2020 electoral code in the October elections.

If ratified at the March 16 AGM, this code will govern the upcoming polls, potentially paving the way for Petra and Mwendwa's re-election bid.

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