Nairobi County Football Association have threatened to report Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba to President William Ruto for allegedly violating provisions of the Kenyan constitution.
In a statement signed by the association’s secretary Wilfred Marori and copied to Sports PS Peter Tum, Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Sports, Tourism, and Culture Dan Wanyama, Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare Julius Murgor, Sports Registrar Rose Wasike and Sports Director, department of youth affairs and sports Japson Gitonga, gave Namwamba a notice of 28 days to give direction on the upcoming Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections, or else they will report him to President Ruto.
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Below is the full statement signed by Marori.
You assumed office as honorable cabinet secretary by swearing and affirming faithfulness to the people and the Republic of Kenya and obedience to the Constitution of Kenya, before the President and in accordance with the Third Schedule.
Even after the senate summoned you to appear before them in regard to the mismanagement of football by the Football Kenya Federation, you have hereby continued violating Article 153 of the Kenyan constitution which states:
- A decision by the Cabinet shall be in writing.
. You reinstated the Football Kenya Federation National Executive Committee without a gazette notice or any written document when there is a high court ruling no E473 of 2021 which confirmed their removal and has never been challenged anywhere. - Cabinet Secretaries are accountable individually, and collectively, to the President for the exercise of their powers and performance of their functions.
. You have not been accountable for the reinstatement of the Football Kenya Federation to the office - A Cabinet Secretary shall attend before a committee of the National Assembly, or the Senate, when required by the committee, and answer any question concerning a matter for which the Cabinet Secretary is responsible.
. After attending the meeting at the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare in matters concerning the mismanagement of football by the Football Kenya Federation, you have failed to implement the following promises you made that the Football Kenya Federation is yet to:
i) Comply with legal requirements for registration as a National Sports Organisation
ii) Comply with the Sports Act 2013 and any other relevant laws.
iii) Review its constitution in line with the Kenyan constitution 2010, the Sports Act no 25 of 2013, and the FIFA statute.
iv) Conduct elections within 90 days from the date of registration
You also acknowledged that
a) County Football Associations are registered by the sports registrar.
b) Facilitate programmes and activities in the ministry including county football association elections
c) Hold meetings with stakeholders including county football associations in a time frame of 90 days from 7th September 2023.
d) The term for the current Football Kenya Federation National Executive Committee ends on 24th February hence elections will be held and new officials elected.
e) The ministry will focus on streamlining the management of Sports Federations to enhance their accountability and responsibility. - Cabinet Secretaries shall––
(a) act in accordance with this Constitution, and
(b) provide Parliament with full and regular reports concerning matters under their control.
. You have not been acting in accordance with the constitution nor been giving regular reports concerning football matters, taking into consideration that you took the blame for reinstating the current Football Kenya Federation National Executive Committee.
Having failed to adhere to the requirements above even after going on record at the senate on the matters below, we hereby give you an ultimatum of 28 days to:
i) Give directions on the Football Kenya Federation elections whose term expires on 24th February 2024
ii) Enact compliance laws to Football Kenya Federation towards elections
iii) Enhance inclusive elections
FAILURE TO DO SO, WE WILL WRITE TO PRESIDENT H.E DR. WILLIAM RUTO TO REMOVE YOU FROM OFFICE FOR GROSS VIOLATION OF PROVISIONS OF THE KENYAN CONSTITUTION AND BRINGING FOOTBALL INTO DiSREPUTE.