Marsabit football stakeholders petition FKF Electoral Board, stage protests against electoral irregularities

Football stakeholders in Marsabit County have escalated their demands for electoral reform by staging demonstrations in Marsabit Town, protesting against the prolonged tenure of FKF Branch Chairman Mohammed Nane. The demonstrators, representing various football clubs, are urging the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Independent Electoral Board to address their concerns about voter register manipulation and a lack of competitive elections in the region.

In a formal petition to the FKF Electoral Board, the Marsabit football clubs pointed out several irregularities, including the absence of league activities in Marsabit since 2019 and the monopolization of leadership by Nane, who has run unopposed in previous elections.

The clubs also claim the voter register has been manipulated to deny them a fair electoral process. They are demanding that the register for both county and sub-branch elections be made accessible, and that clubs be allowed to select their delegates independently.

The stakeholders are further requesting that a neutral observer from the FKF Electoral Board oversee the elections and have called for the voting process to be conducted at the Marsabit County Commissioners’ office to ensure transparency.

Meanwhile, stakeholders from other counties, including Kitui, Narok, Elgeyo Marakwet, Machakos, Busia, and Kakamega, have also sent petitions, expressing similar concerns following the release of the club register ahead of the elections. The growing number of protests and petitions has placed significant pressure on the FKF Electoral Board to take immediate action and address the widespread grievances from football clubs across the country.

Adding to the growing unrest, it has been reported that the FKF Electoral Board, which should be operating from Kandanda House, was unavailable throughout the day to receive petitions from various football stakeholders. Many stakeholders who showed up at Kandanda House were turned away, raising serious concerns about the transparency of the electoral process. This lack of availability has heightened fears about the legitimacy of the upcoming elections, signaling a red flag for football clubs across the country.