Former football referees from Kericho County have called on Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to ensure only people of integrity are cleared to contest in the forthcoming elections.

While also urging the FKF electorate to ensure they vote in transparent people, they also want individuals with experience and who love football to be given the mandate.

Speaking in Kericho town on Thursday, the ex-referees led by Alhaji-Abdullahi Kiptonui and George Kaburu decried the low standards of Kenyan football, blaming selfish officials for the lack of sponsorship in the local game.

The duo said it has been difficult for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to get sponsors due to what they termed as lack of transparency in management of funds among administrators hence the need for clean hands to handle football right from the sub-branches to the national level.

“It has been hard for KPL and the clubs because to get sponsors due to lack of transparency among officials who mismanage finances. This has impacted negatively on the development of the football in the country,” said Kaburu, a former Class One referee.

Kiptonui, a former FIFA referee and Kenyan soccer legend said: “People who are out to promote football right from the grassroots to the national levels should be given the chance to run the it.” -PHILIP YEGON