Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya has come out to explain his leadership role at promoted FKF Premier League side Shabana FC.
In a signed statement copied to Education CS Ezekiel Machogu and all media houses in Kenya, the veteran administrator maintained he was the duly elected patron of the Kisii-based Glamour Boys and vowed to defend the club and his role from people he described as “joyriders trying to impose themselves on the club.”
“I wish to put the record straight that some people given the success of Shabana are now trying to joyride and impose themselves on the club,” read part of his letter, adding: “Shabana has come a long way and our leadership and players professionalism are the catalyst to the recent success. As the club patron I will defend Shabana and my position from the persons who want to impose themselves on Shabana a club to which I have dedicated my resources and time to ensure it runs smoothly and professionally.”
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He added: “This is further to put media houses on notice of the true position as to the patron and leadership of Shabana and not entertain any persons trying to impose themselves. The letter from the Registrar of Societies dated June 29, 2023, speaks for itself, and being a public document it can be accessed and is readily available to all. I am prepared to protect my rights and position as the patron of Shabana to the full extent of the law.”
In the letter which was accompanied by attached minutes when he was named the patron and confirmation from the Registrar of Societies recognizing him as the patron, Nyamweya further explained how he had fought to help Tore Bobe return to the Premier League.
“I steered the club to greater heights at the helm as the chairman and expanded our fanbase and quality of football, in general, to become top 3 in fanbase next to Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards and I was also a founder member of Kenyan Premier League (KPL),” added Nyamweya.
He continued: “In 2011, I vied for the presidency of FKF and won with a resounding victory and I relinquished my position as the chairman of Shabana, and an AGM was called and held on August 11, 2011. During the AGM, I was duly elected as the patron of Shabana, and on January 28, 2014, the office of Registrar of Societies in their letter to Shabana outlined the officials of the club and it confirms that I was the patron then.
“I continued to steer the club to prosperity and expended my resources to support the club financially to the tune of millions of shillings. When the office of Registrar of Sports came calling to clubs to comply with the Sports Act and register with the Sports registrar, I assisted Shabana to comply and we were duly issued with a registration certificate.”
Shabana will return to the top-flight after 17 years in the cold following their success in winning the National Super League (NSL) at the end of last season.