Interests, intrigues behind silent coup within KEFOCA
Deeply vested interests are at play in what is turning out to be a silent coup within Kenya Football Coaches Association (KEFOCA).
The umbrella coaches’ organisation, formed in 1972, is currently embroiled in leadership wrangles that now threaten to bring it down especially after a section of its members recently mooted a splinter group, the Kenya National Football Coaches (KENFOCA) which is in the process of being registered.
People Sport has learnt that a power tussle, inability to achieve its mandate and infiltration from outsiders who want to influence the outcome of the delayed Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is at the centre of the rift within KEFOCA.
Also Read:
This has put the current KEFOCA office holders on one side and their rivals on the other after it emerged that efforts by some well-meaning tacticians to enforce change from within proved futile hence the decision to start a splinter group.
Bob Oyugi, who has been KEFOCA Secretary General for the past 16 years, is accused of overstaying in office without erecting proper structures to benefit coaches.
Oyugi, however, defends himself saying the rival group is playing politics.
“We have put structures across the 47 counties and as far as I know, all is going on well.
All these complainants in the unregistered body are no longer even active members because they forewent their subscription.
We have put in resources to help members under distress,” said the veteran instructor who blamed FKF for using proxies to undermine KEFOCA.
“We have a compliance certificate from the Sports Registrar. We are constantly in touch with our 6,000 members because this is a delicate transition period from Societies Act to Sports Act 2013.
We have a working office yet we only depend on members’ contribution,” he added.
Kenyan legend John Bobby Ogola, a long-term member of KEFOCA, said the cold war is as a result of power hungry individuals.
However, Tusker FC coach Robert Matano, who is among those fronting the splinter group, claims his movement has at least 2,000 members and is pushing for inclusivity.
“We are a democratic country and therefore our move is not illegal. Our issue is that the current body is inefficient and we need to overhaul it,” said Matano, whose sentiments were echoed by former Bandari coach Twahir Muhiddin.
Some coaches such as Sony Sugar boss James Nandwa, ex-KCB trainer Leonard Saleh and former Kakamega Homeboyz tactician Edward Manoah are calling for dialogue that will lead into the strengthening of the body and credible elections.
