By Ian Kisoti
The international governing body of association football FIFA has for the second time threatened to ban Kenya from all football activities.
FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura in a letter to Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed promised immediate negotiations in an effort to avert the crisis.
“FIFA understand the important role your office plays in ensuring that sports bodies in Kenya comply with applicable roles”
Fatma Samoura
Samoura, also considered as the most powerful woman delegate in football urged Amina to reinstate the disbanded Football Kenya Federation’s National Executive Committee, while terming CS Amina’s appointment of a caretaker committee last week as illegal.
“I have been made aware of the appointment of a so-called caretaker committee together with its secretariat in lieu of the FKF National Executive Committee. I must highlight this appointment is contrary to our principles in which all our member associations are supported to independently manage their affairs. The situation could therefore lead to a ban on FKF by FIFA.”
Fatma Samoura
Kenya (under the Kenya Football Federation) was suspended in 2004 by FIFA from all football activities due to government interference.
The Government’s decision to dissolve the Kenya Football Federation over corruption claims informed this ban.
Kenya also faced another ban in November 2006 for government interference in football and failing to abide by the world sports body’s regulations.
This was after then Sports Minister Maina Kamanda dissolved the KFF, replacing it with a government appointed caretaker committee with no legal authorization.
