Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Presidential aspirant Barry Otieno has called on delegates to vote wisely during the eagerly awaited FKF national elections scheduled for December 7.
Otieno, who is the former FKF CEO, warned candidates against intimidating delegates and trying to bribe them with money in an effort to get their votes. “I have worked with the delegates and for the delegates and there are candidates who think FKF delegates are stupid, the candidates think the delegates can easily be swayed by money,” said Otieno.
“I believe delegates will note with conviction rather than intimidation or bribes.”
“Barry Otieno is a football lover,” added Otieno in the interview. Asked whether he betrayed his immediate boss Nick Mwendwa by going for the top seat, Otieno replied: “Nick (Mwendwa) was not eligible to run.”
With 12 days to FKF presidential elections, Otieno further said that the FKF branches should be allowed to run regional and division leagues. Currently the two leagues are run by National Executive Committee (NEC) members.
“I feel that it is wrong and I say this with a lot of concern, I feel that it is wrong that in 2024 there is still no clear separation of roles at FKF,” said Otieno.
“We have NEC members, who are running division two and regional leagues and for football be truly beneficial or truly effective at the grassroots level, we need to empower the branches and give this leagues to the branches so that NEC plays an oversight role like a board.”
The FKF presidential elections will be held on 7th of December. Other candidates eyeing the FKF top seat are Hussein Mohammed, Doris Petra, Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino, Cleophas ‘Toto’ Shimanyula, Chris Amimo, Sammy Ochola and Tom Alila.
