OPINION: Key issues on Hussein Mohammed's plate after winning FKF Elections
Reading Time: 4min | Thu. 12.12.24. | 07:30
Much like a school thrives under competent leadership, the success of Kenyan football under Hussein Mohammed and McDonald Mariga’s stewardship will depend on their leadership qualities and problem-solving abilities
As the dust settles on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections, Kenyans are eager for a fresh start and renewed optimism in football management.
With the “Fresh Start” campaign mantra and immense public goodwill, the new FKF office is under pressure to deliver tangible, visible change.
Much like a school thrives under competent leadership, the success of Kenyan football under Hussein Mohammed and MacDonald Mariga’s stewardship will depend on their leadership qualities and problem-solving abilities.
While their involvement in top-tier football and the Extreme Sports tournament has earned them credibility, critics argue that these experiences alone do not guarantee effective management.
Leadership begins with the right team
The effectiveness of the new FKF regime will largely hinge on who Hussein and Mariga appoint to key positions. The previous administration under Nick Mwendwa may have failed to deliver because of unqualified appointments.
If Mwendwa had prioritized professionalizing his team, his legacy might have been different.
A close examination of Hussein-Mariga’s camp raises both hope and concern. While some advisors and supporters possess commendable qualifications and experience, others lack the expertise necessary for effective football governance.
Critics worry that political, ethnic influences and political figures, could lead to unqualified appointees receiving strategic roles at Kandanda House.
Reports suggest some National Executive Committee (NEC) members are already angling for rewards through lucrative tenders. Insiders also anticipate potential power struggles between Mariga’s faction and allies who view Hussein’s win as their victory.
Promising figures in the mix
Despite these concerns, some individuals in the Hussein-Mariga team offer hope. Murang’a Seal’s Macharia Munene stands out as a strong-willed, principled figure capable of keeping the administration accountable.
Nairobi NEC member Dan Shikanda is expected to play a crucial role, though his path—whether as a collaborator or a critic—remains uncertain.
North Eastern’s Mohamed Kado is viewed as a staunch ally of Hussein, aiming to address past injustices, while Nyanza’s Collins Kalee and Western’s Caleb Amwayi bring mixed potential.
Eastern’s Charles Njagi offers grassroots mobilization skills, and veteran Peter Kamau Kasskass adds valuable wisdom. Women’s Representative Kerubo Momanyi appears poised to elevate the women’s game in Kenya.
Behind the scenes, key strategists like Mahat Somane and Frank Ogolla played pivotal roles in securing support for Hussein-Mariga’s campaign.
Ogolla, credited with luring football icons like Allan Wanga to the ticket, is seen as a strong candidate to head the League and Competitions Committee.
He and Dr.Somane were key in bringing on board Soy United's Ayiro Edwin Chahilu, who single-handedly handed Kakamega to Hussein-Mariga offered key strategic leads and tapped into his network to effectively preach the gospel of a fresh start with much ease and success.
Needless to say, some faces of the secretariat are well-known personalities with good networks and footballing history.
Prioritizing meritocracy over cronyism
Having said this, it would be wise for Hussein-Mariga to deliberately sieve through the competencies of potential appointees to the FKF office and advisors, as this will make or break their tenure.
Leadership is about making tough decisions, and football stakeholders want to see them get it right by embracing meritocracy over cronyism.
It is time for Team Fresh Start to tap into the expertise available and offer hope to millions of Kenyans who love the beautiful game.
For example, many expect the new federation to have strong and functional departments such as communication, branding, marketing, liaison and partnerships, legal affairs and compliance, quality assurance, performance evaluation, and continuous professional development.
Having these five departments will guide the secretariat and help instil a strong system culture at Kandada House.
During the campaign, the call for good governance was synonymous with Team Fresh Start. Structuring governance rules and creating a new organogram will bring a new lease of life and optimism across the board.
No matter how long it takes or what it costs, Hussein-Mariga needs to overhaul the governance structure if they are to start on the right footing and sustain accountability. Anything short of this will be a case of the famous saying, "Sheikh ni yule yule kanzu ndio mpya."
Under the Continuous Professional Development Programme, the branches must be continually trained on modern principles of governance and professionalism.
