Chaos as Nyamweya, Mwendwa factions meet, SDT to rule on polls Dec

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) had to continuously fend off allegations of dishonesty during a hearing yesterday at Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) where emotions ran high between two factions that almost ended up in a fist fight.

Trouble began when a section of Nick Mwendwa supporters attempted to block former football boss Sam Nyamweya from taking his seat, but normalcy was restored after tribunal officials successfully pleaded with supporters of both factions to restore order.

A panel of three SDT members, led by chairman John Ohaga, heard submissions on the elections standoff from both sides pitting a team of Nyamweya together with Gor Mahia Chief Executive Officer Lordvick Aduda, former AFC Leopards chairman Alex Magelo, former Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga and former Eastern NEC member Angeline Elijah against current federation president Nick Mwendwa. 

In a packed courtroom which saw Mwendwa and Nyamweya attend the proceedings in person, lawyers for both sides defended their arguments as they sought to catch the ear of the tribunal chairman who declared December 3 as the date of making his ruling.

Two cases were enjoined in a suit against FKF who are currently planning national elections on December 7th. One football stakeholder from Nyamira Branch; Jared Ondieki alongside Nyamweya brought forth concerns about Electoral Code and composition of the Elections Board which they both had grave concerns with while FKF defended its stance on the process in totality.

Lead Counsel for the applicants Charles Ouma assisted by Stanley Manduku representing Nyamweya argued that the Tribunal had full jurisdiction over the matter. “Our client was locked out because of questioning eligibility of the process. As an independent arbitration body which is fully backed by the constitution and the Sports Act, we submit that justice can best be served at the tribunal because even their internal organs have no capacity over the matter. Football is a property of the public and not for elites. As it stands, these unrealistic demands are not in the spirit of the game,” said Ouma, who constantly had run-ins with the respondents’ lawyers.