The commencement of the new football season in Kenya is stuck in a limbo following the nullification of 2021/22 FKF Premier League/National Super League seasons by the Sports Disputes Tribunal on Tuesday evening.
In his rulling, the SDT Chairman John Ohaga found that the appointed FKF Transition Committee ignored key constituted bodies of Football Kenya Federation and formed their own channels of solving disputes involving different parties in the country’s football environment.
The particular Committee was put in place by the Sports Cabinet Ambassador Amina Mohammed after the elected Football Kenya Federation office was disbanded over reported funds embezzlement in November 2021.
This move attracted the wrath of the world football governing body FIFA, who thereafter, suspended the country from its affiliated football activities over third party interference.
Ohaga also explained the direct consequences of the ruling. He however, reiterated that the 2022/23 football season scheduled for 10th September is yet to be declared null and void.
Enjoined in the rulling were the FKF Judicial Bodies and Standing Committee. Football clubs Kariobangi Sharks FC, Vihiga United FC, Mathare United FC, Sofapaka FC also emerged as interested parties.
Japheth Munyendo, representing the FKF judicial bodies in the suTribunal argued that the FKF Transition Committee was constructed to replace the disbanded FKF but not to take over its judicial duties.
The Tribunal also claimed that the Transition Committee acted contrary to the FKF constitution in running of football in the country without constituted judicial bodies.
“The court has not expressly nullified the league in entirety but it has opened an avenue for such a possibility. If someone moves to court appealing for nullification of the leagues on grounds of today’s ruling, that could be an easy case since there were many instances the committees which have been found to have operated illegally made decisions affecting the league.
“Annulling the league was not the prayer of the complainants, who were National Super League clubs,” explained Munyendo.
Among victims of these arguments are the National Super League side Murang’a Seal who were docked three vital points by the Transition Committee, consequently denying them a chance to book an automatic promotion to the FKF Premier League in second position last season.
The decision forced Murang’a Seal to face Wazito FC in the promotion/relegation playoffs before losing to the latter.
Fortune Sacco were instead declared 2021/2022 NSL runners up behind champions APS Bomet.
As the matter unfolds Fortune Sacco did not meet the required threshold to earn an automatic promotion to the country’s top flight league, meaning Murang’a Seal could be promoted and Fortune Sacco to take on Wazito as per the rulling.
In his remarks, SDT Chairman John Ohaga said;
“For the league to be declared null and void, the aggrieved parties will need to demonstrate that the absence of the FKF Committees significantly affected the outcomes of the leagues. It is not after every match that teams go to the committees for a decision,” explained Ohaga, who is set to release a detailed ruling on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, complain against the FKF Transition Committee was filed in May by Migori Youth FC, Gusii FC, Dandora Love FC, Zoo FC, Kamungei United FC, Coastal Heroes FC, Mwatate United FC, Kisumu Allstars FC and Francis Ngira Okello.
Sports CS Amina Mohammed earlier in the month extended the tenure of the embattled Transition Committee for further two months.
Tusker FC were crowned the 2021/2022 Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions while APS Bomet clinched the NSL title.
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