Ruto hints at solving football impasse

President-Elect William Ruto yesterday hinted at swiftly responding to the ongoing indefinite suspension on Football Kenya Federation (FKF) by world football governing body Fifa.

Ruto who was responding to a journalist’s question at the Deputy President’s official residence in Karen over how his government was going to tackle the suspension issue that had rendered several players jobless due to the suspension, said the issue would among their priorities as well as other pledges in the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto.

The President-Elect was speaking after the Supreme Court upheld his elections victory.

“Just as we have indicated in our manifesto, we are going to streamline the sports industry and make it a source of income for many just like we had outlined in our manifesto,” he said.

Fifa suspended Kenya indefinately from all football activities in February due to what it termed as government interference after Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disbanded the federation in November last years over allegations of graft and replaced it with a Caretaker Committee.

The ban has since seen all national teams fail to take part in international activities, as well as local clubs.

Meanwhile, embattled FKF president Nick Mwendwa led several sports administrators in congratulating the President-Elect after yesterday’s landmark ruling.

Mwendwa said it was a new dawn for the country and the sports industry as a whole.

Former FKF president Sam Nyamweya said: “Accept my warm congratulations on your well-earned and deserved victory. Your victory has filled Kenyans with immense joy and hope. I take pride in your unwavering commitment, dedication hard work and tireless service to our beloved nation in diverse capacities which has immensely contributed to your ascendancy to the highest office in the land.”

National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) president Paul Tergat wrote in a statement: “ The National Olympic Committee of Kenya salutes the Fifth President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E.

William Samoei Ruto, on his confirmation as the validly elected President of Kenya. On behalf of the Olympic and Commonwealth Movement and, indeed on behalf of sports in Kenya, we celebrate your win and look forward to working together to grow Olympic and general sports in Kenya is a renowned global sports powerhouse.”

Tergat added: “As an Olympic Committee, we shall endeavor to keep our sports in collaboration with your  Government, to play its role in national development, global marketing of brand Kenya and social  transformation elevated. Our athletes remain in dire need of national support to compete and attain  the apex of their potential at the top level and your election give us greater assurance that this need  will not only be met but surpassed. This is based on your evident passion for sports and athletes in the past and in particular as espoused in your Manifesto. We assure you and your Government of unwavering support and partnership to make sports an outstanding success story during your administration.”