A week after Sports Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba ordered the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to hold elections in February 2024, Sam Nyamweya has hinted that he would offer himself for the top seat.

In a signed statement, Nyamweya, who in 2016 stepped aside to allow Nick Mwendwa to take over the mantle of the federation, said he was considering the passionate plea from stakeholders and supporters across the country, to return and salvage the sport from collapse.

Here is the statement from Nyamweya: “I have keenly been following the happenings in our local football since I stepped down as the FKF President eight years ago and must admit that the country’s number one game has come from bad to worse.

Kenyan football has simply become a laughing stock in Africa under the regime led by Nick Mwendwa, and it is unfortunate that even our neighbouring countries are now way ahead of us. When I was leaving office, I left many sponsors on board but unfortunately, most of them have now run away because of the mismanagement of the game by the Mwendwa office.

After wide consultations with some of my supporters, they have urged me to over myself as a presidential candidate for the forthcoming FKF elections set for February 2024. I want to confirm after making further consultations with stakeholders, I am considering offering myself for the top seat to help salvage the sport in the country and finish my two terms which were interrupted by reckless ambitious people.

I am the only one better placed to salvage our football where it is now because I have experience globally and I know what it takes to save the situation. All stakeholders have consulted me and my supporters and I am soon going to meet my team to chart the way forward.

I want to take this opportunity to ask our dear sponsors to remain calm as we prepare for a strong comeback. In 2011, when I was elected in a landslide victory (no one has ever beaten the record of votes globally), I found football in turmoil but still managed to stabilise it by bringing back fans to our stadia, sponsors, and putting more emphasis on the national team Harambee Stars and women’s national team Harambee Starlets and I cannot sit down and leave football and talent going down the drain.

“I will soon issue a statement on the next step.”

Though it is not clear whether Mwendwa will see another term, others who have already shown keen interest in the top seat include Extreme Sports CEO Hussein Mohammed, ex-Gor Mahia CEO Omondi Aduda, ex-FKF official Tom Alila, Gor Mahia official Sam Ochola, Bandari FC official Twaha Mbarak and former international Sammy Owino Kempes.