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Football Kenya Federation (FKF) boss Nick Mwendwa believes he was crucified for being a close friend of President William Ruto.

Mwendwa who yesterday stormed into the federation offices at Kandanda House, which had been locked down for 10 months, said the sport had suffered a major blow in the past months and that he had also suffered individually for his association with the former Deputy President.

Mwendwa was being investigated for alleged misuse of funds after an Inspection Committee appointed by Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and chaired by Mike Kimoko, presented an 80-page report to Sports Registrar Rose Wasike with several recommendations. On July 6, a Kenyan court dropped all corruption charges against the suspended Mwendwa after prosecutors failed to provide any evidence against him.

Mwendwa was arrested in November after the Kenyan government disbanded the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and set up a caretaker committee to run football over alleged financial impropriety during his tenure.

Court charge

He was charged with embezzling 38 million shillings ($337,000) received from the government and other sponsors as well as conspiracy to defraud the FKF of about $254,000. Mwendwa, 43, had denied all the allegations.