The second Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Presidential Debate offered a rare opportunity for six of the leading candidates to present their visions and ambitions for the future of Kenyan football. The event featured Extreme Sports CEO Hussein Mohammed, who made his first appearance at the debates, joining other contenders, including Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino, Sam Ochola, Barry Otieno, Tom Alila, and Cleophas Shimanyula. However, candidates Doris Petra and Chris Amimo chose to skip the forum, opting to campaign elsewhere in anticipation of the elections scheduled for Saturday, December 7.
Key Discussion Points: Player Welfare, Integrity, and League Sponsorship
The debate covered a range of critical topics, with a strong emphasis on player welfare, integrity in the game, and sponsorship—a trio of areas essential to the revitalization of Kenyan football. As the former Harambee Stars player Tobias Ochola, a member of the audience, pointed out, “Sponsorship remains one of the major challenges facing Kenyan football.” His question on the subject set the tone for the debate, focusing on the approaches each candidate would adopt to restore financial stability and attract investors.
Cleophas Shimanyula: Transparency to Win Investor Confidence
Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula proposed a bold vision of transparency and a supportive environment as the path forward for FKF. Shimanyula argued that accountability and transparency are essential to creating a secure environment for sponsors, investors, and other stakeholders. “My administration would enhance transparency to attract investors,” he explained, adding that he would work to build a supportive ecosystem for those interested in helping Kenya’s football grow.
Sam Ocholla: A Renewed Focus on KPL Management and Sponsorship Rights
Sam Ocholla, Gor Mahia’s Secretary General, echoed the transparency theme. He vowed to restructure the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to ensure clubs retain control over their TV rights and sponsorships. “Once I’m in office, I will ensure that the KPL is reconstituted, and teams have the right to manage all TV rights and sponsorship issues so that sponsorship funds are fully transparent,” Ocholla promised. His commitment signals a significant shift toward allowing clubs greater control over their revenue sources.
Barry Otieno: Marketing the League to Grassroots Audiences
Former FKF CEO Barry Otieno also highlighted the role of transparency, but his vision extended beyond the pitch, focusing on expanding the league’s accessibility and appeal. Otieno advocated for a “well-marketed league accessible to grassroots communities.” By bringing football closer to local communities, he hopes to create a sustainable model that will enhance the commercial appeal of the sport and encourage community support for teams.
Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino: Building a Stronger KPL Brand
Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino, a former Gor Mahia player, spoke passionately about the need for Kenyan football to regain the trust of sponsors. He sees branding and entertainment value as essential elements for a successful KPL. “We need to raise the standards of our KPL because, without that, no one will be drawn to our league,” Kempes explained. His plan involves making the league an attractive product to draw in sponsors, fans, and investors alike, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and support.
Tom Alila: Governance Reform and Youth Opportunities
Tom Alila, a former Nyanza NEC member, proposed governance reform as the foundation of his approach. He expressed his intent to amend the FKF Constitution to foster opportunities for young talent. Alila emphasized that a revised constitution could bring stability to the organization while paving the way for young people to pursue football careers and contribute to the sport’s growth. This would, he argued, secure a brighter future for Kenyan football by nurturing emerging talents.
Hussein Mohammed: Drawing Inspiration from the Grassroots
Hussein Mohammed, CEO of Extreme Sports, shared his plan to restore the game’s value by focusing on grassroots football—a sector he knows well from his experience with the Super 8 football tournament. He outlined his vision of attracting the corporate world to Kenyan football through this grassroots model. Mohammed’s belief is that developing and investing in grassroots talent will ultimately elevate the national league and entice sponsors looking for a trustworthy brand.
A Collective Promise to Strengthen Player Contracts
The welfare of players was a unanimous concern, with every candidate committing to improving contract conditions for players. Barry Otieno, for instance, proposed a capacity-building initiative to equip grassroots stakeholders with essential skills for sustainability and commercialization. Cleophas Shimanyula pledged to support efforts against match-fixing by cracking down on corrupt practices that compromise players’ integrity.
“I am not a match-fixer. I fought against match-fixing, and I will ensure it’s eliminated in the country,” Shimanyula stated emphatically. This pledge aligns with his broader commitment to transparency and fair play.
Sam Ocholla and Player Welfare
Sam Ocholla took a stance on timely payments, which he argued is crucial to eliminating the temptation of match-fixing. Ensuring players are paid on time, he noted, is a practical step toward curbing corruption. “It’s all about integrity,” he stressed, adding that his administration would focus on fair treatment for both players and officials.
Combating Match-Fixing: The Role of Education
The candidates acknowledged the global challenge of match-fixing, with Hussein Mohammed and Barry Otieno emphasizing the importance of civic education. They proposed educating players and stakeholders to deter them from engaging in unethical practices. “Education can be a powerful tool in the fight against match-fixing,” Barry said, underscoring the need for widespread awareness and proactive engagement.
Debate Highlights: A Showdown of Accountability
The debate also saw an exchange of words between Hussein and Barry, who threw pointed remarks at each other regarding accountability and transparency. Both candidates were given opportunities to respond, demonstrating the fierce competition among the aspirants and the stakes involved in this election.
Looking Forward
The second FKF Presidential Debate provided a platform for six candidates to share their plans, differing approaches, and visions for transforming Kenyan football. From transparency and governance reforms to grassroots development and anti-match-fixing measures, each candidate presented a distinctive approach that could shape the future of the FKF. As election day approaches, voters will undoubtedly weigh these proposals, hoping to select a leader who can restore the credibility, appeal, and integrity of Kenyan football. The debate underscored the importance of each candidate’s commitment to change, and with the Saturday polls looming, the nation eagerly awaits the outcome of this pivotal election.