Football administrator Sam Nyamweya has hinted he would be forced to come out of retirement and seek for re-election as the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President in the forthcoming elections.
His signed statement obtained by People Sports came just five days after the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba ordered the beleaguered Federation to make sure that they hold elections as per schedule on February 2024.
Nyamweya, whose last stint as the FKF boss was in 2016 when he stepped down to allow incumbent Nick Mwendwa to take charge, has insisted stakeholders have urged him to return and salvage the sport from collapse and he was mulling over the same.
“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,” said Nyamweya, adding: “I want to confirm after making further consultations with stakeholders, I am considering offering myself for the top seat to salvage the sport in the country and finish my two terms which were interrupted by reckless ambitious people.”
Nyamweya continued: “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.”
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.
