Kenya’s sports personalities have called upon President-elect William Ruto to move with speed and clean the mess in the country’s sports sector.
In his first national address after the Supreme Court upheld his election as Kenya’s 5th President on Monday, Ruto promised to re-visit the country’s sports sector amid sanctions from international regulatory bodies.
Kenya is currently serving a FIFA ban after the Sporte Ministry led by the Cabinet Ambassador Amina disbanded the elected Football Kenya Federation Executive Office over alleged funds misappropriation in November 2021.
During his manifesto launch, Ruto promised to improve the country’s sports infrastructure for the development of local talent. He also promised that his administration will put up a local sports garments manufacturing firm as soon as possible.
“We must create a big sports garment industry out of our sportsmen and women because everywhere in the world if you say this shoe comes from Kenya, the sporting nation, you will get a premium price for it,” he said then.
Leading renowned sports personalities in the country, AFC Leopards Dan Shikanda has also urged the incoming administration to solve the existing woes in the country’s football sector, intervene and ensure that the particular existing FIFA ban is lifted after third party interference.
“Football has come to a standstill in the country since we were suspended and it is important that we get back to normalcy as soon as possible. As stakeholders, we are hoping that the new administration will work hand in hand with the world governing body to make sure that the suspension is lifted,” said Shikanda.
Echoing Shikanda’s sentiments, former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech also asked the next government to deal with the mess created by the acting transitional committee put in place by the Sports Cabinet Ambassador Amina Mohammed to run the country’s football.
“With the current crop of our talented players leaving the country to other lower leagues than ours in neighbouring countries, my prayer to the new regime is, kindly find time and look into the mess by the CS Amina transitional committee.
FIFA rules say its member federations must be free from legal and political interference.