FKF disbandment leaves CAF matches in limbo

Embattled Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have written to Gor Mahia and CAF saying they will not be in a position to organize the CAF Confederation Cup playoff return leg match between Gor Mahia and AS Otoho FCscheduled for 5th December at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

Gor are set to take on Otoho for the first leg this Sunday in Congo before the two teams face off again in a week’s time in Nairobi. All this comes at a time when Kenya’s federation has been disbanded by the government and a caretaker committee installed to run football in the country for a period of six months.

Any international match involving countries or clubs from different countries is organized by the host FA and FKF’s disbandment throws a spanner into the works. FKF CEO Barry Otieno has now written to Gor Mahia and CAF explaining that they will not be in a position to oversee the game.

“We wish to inform you that on 11 November 2021, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports released a press statement disbanding FKF and installing an FKF caretaker committee to oversee all football activities in the country,” read the letter in part.

Otieno says FKF’s offices at Kandanda House in Kasarani have been locked and thus cannot organize the match between the two teams

 “Further, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amb. Amina Mohammed also ordered for the total lockdown of the FKF premises denying all federation staff access to the office, a situation that has completely incapacitated the federation’s operations. In light of the foregoing, and the existing government directive, taking over all footballing activities the federation is regrettably unable to independently plan and successfully execute the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup between Gor Mahia and AS Otoho FC scheduled for December 5, 2021, in Nairobi,”.

According to Otieno, FKF staff have been receiving threats from members of the caretaker and they cannot risk their safety.

“Further as a precaution and in consideration of the safety and well-being of the FKF staff who continue to be intimidated by a section of the Caretaker committee members, the federation has formally informed CAF on the football situation in the country and FKF’s challenge in organizing the aforementioned fixture,” concluded the letter.

The impasse is also expected to affect Tusker’s game against CS Faxien that is scheduled for Sunday 28 in Nairobi.