By Mark Baber
February 12 – A new era has dawned for the Football Kenya Federation as Nick Mwendwa has been voted in as the new president of the Football Kenya Federation, finally bringing to an end the controversial reign of incumbent Sam Nyamweya.
Mwendwa, chairman of the Kariobangi Sharks, won with 50 votes cast to beat his only rival Ambrose Rachier who netted 27 votes.
Nyamweya withdrew on Wednesday morning saying: “I’ve made this decision out of love for the game, passion and appreciation and that no good leader should be pushed to give up power.”
Other candidates for the top post, including Gor Semelango, Sammy Sholei, Sammy Aina and Ken Oliech, also withdrew before the final vote.
A delighted Mwenda stated: “I have told you guys on numerous occasions that we will win these elections. Today we have won and we have showed Kenyans that if you are determined do to something it can be done.”
“Kenyans should expect a reality of all the things we promised as Team Change. We have many things to do but first will be to ensure Harambee Stars win the 2017 AFCON away match in Guinea Bissau.”
Doris Petra, who was in Mwenda’s Team Change camp, was elected vice-president after a second round of voting.
In good news for Kenyan football, Ambrose Rachier accepted defeat with grace and the newly elected officials will now have a meeting with FIFA to align the FKF constitution with FIFA statutes, whilst Kenyan fans will be hoping the long-running and bitter disputes between the Federation and Kenyan Premier League are now at an end.
As for Nyamweya, he still faces investigation by Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions into allegations of conspiracy to defraud, which he denies, relating to how $170,000, set aside for Kenya’s trip to Cape Verde for a 2018 World Cup qualifier in November, was actually used.
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