Football Kenya Federation (FKF) outgoing president Nick Mwendwa is eligible to contest as a running mate in the forthcoming elections, MPs have been told.
FKF Electoral Board Chairman Hesbon Owila made the revelation when he met the National Assembly Sports Committee.
Murkomen questions Nick Mwendwa’s eligibility
Mwendwa, whose mandatory two-term limit is coming to an end, has been cleared to run as the running mate of his current deputy Doris Petra in the December 7th elections.
Sports Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen had differed with Owila during a separate appearance before the Committee.
The CS was before the House team to shed light on the eligibility of Mwendwa to be fielded as number two to Petra.
Murkomen and Owila gave different opinion to the Committee during the session chaired by MP Kamau Wamacukuru.
The CS, who was the first to appear before the Committee, told MPs that the law barred Mwendwa from deputizing Petra in the polls.
“The law is clear that anybody picked as a running mate should have the same qualifications of the presidential candidate so that incase anything happens to the president, he can take over office,” said CS Murkomen.
“It is not morally good to serve as the Federation’s president then during elections you present yourself as a deputy,” he added.
In addition, the CS pointed out that Mwendwa had completed his term as required by the federation constitution, noting that it will be illegal for him to be on the Petra ticket for presidency.
He added: “I have had a conversation with Mwendwa on this matter and we agreed he should not run.”
His sentiments were supported by Suba South MP, Caroli Omondi who questioned why the Electoral Board cleared him to run.
“Why did the Electoral Board clear Mwendwa in the first place when its clear that he had cleared his term,” he added.
What does FKF constitution say about Nick Mwendwa’s eligibility?
But Owila, when he appeared before the Committee, said the law allowed Mwendwa to contest as a running mate in the elections.
“Article 37 of the Federation’s constitution is clear that the president upon clearing his term is free to run for any other seat,” he explained.
He noted that the Board had not committed any mistake when it cleared Mwendwa to deputise Petra in the elections.
The matter was put to rest after the Committee’s legal Officer clarified to MPs that according to Article 37 of the Federation’s constitution the law allowed Mwendwa to run as a deputy.
Mwingi West MP, Charles Nguna said the Committee should not dwell too much on the matter after it was clarified by both the legal officer and the chairman on the Electoral Board.
Meanwhile, Busia County Woman MP Catherine Omanyo and MP Robert Basil asked the Board to ensure that the eagerly awaited elections were free and fair.
Owila told the Committee measures have been put in place to ensure that the elections were credible, free and fair.
“The Board has already finished training returning officers ahead of the county elections that commence on 9th of this month and the presidential polls,” he explained.
“I want to assure the Committee that fake delegates will no longer participate in the elections as it has been before,” he added.
The Committee also asked the Board to present to MPs a list of all delegates who will vote in the elections.
Owila assured the Committee that he will avail the list in two days.
