Mwendwa only candidate to be cleared for FKF presidency on nominations final day
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa took an early advantage when he became the only presidential candidate to beat the deadline of presenting his nomination papers to the Electoral Board ahead of the elections set for December 7.
Mwenda presented his papers to the board few minutes before 1.00 pm yesterday, as his challengers in former Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga and former federation boss Sam Nyamweya gave the exercise a wide berth.
Although Mwenda is seemingly poised for re-election unopposed, he will be keeping his fingers crossed in the wake of the court case filed by Jared Nyauma on behalf of sub branches who want the election stopped.
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Sports Dispute Tribunal chairman John Ohaga on Tuesday ordered the electoral board to accept nominations until the hearing of a case filed to the tribunal was heared and determined on November 5, at 2.30pm.
George Mwaura, football fan who attempted to stop the polls through his lawyer Purity Mureithi at High Court, however, suffered a set back yesterday after he was told to wait for the tribunals verdict on November 5 and if unsatisfied, return to High Court on November 20 for the case to be heard.
Yesterday, Akaranga told People Sport that he was in Vihiga and eventually failed to beat the board’s 5pm deadline for submitting nomination requirements.
“We have closed the nominations now but I cannot declare Nick Mwendwa as the unopposed president until we hear at any complains arising and give directions,” FKF Electoral Board chairman Edwin Wamukoya told People Daily.
In the meantime, Mwendwa who was accompanied by his running mate Doris Petra arrived to present his papers with his supporters and Isukuti drummers in tow before his nomination papers were verified by the board personnel.
The pair paid Sh800, 000 nomination fee and presented all the required documents to
Upon presenting his papers, Mwendwa said that he was happy to have passed the bill of adherence to the electoral code and more so the three-day period given by the Board to rectify his papers if they do not meet the threshold of the elections.
“I’m happy for the unswerving support from my supports and having presented my papers, I look forward to a free and fair elections,” said Mwendwa who this time has picked ‘Team Blue’ as his slogan for the elections.
He challenged his opponents to come out clean and explain their valid reasons, if any for failure to present their papers.
“They should come out clean and give their reasons instead of dragging us to court and vouching for the polls to be stopped,, ”said Mwendwa.
