Veteran Nyamweya declares FKF presidential bid with ambitious plans

Just two days after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) initiated the process to hold elections following a successful Special General Meeting (SGM), former official Sam Nyamweya has openly declared his candidacy for the presidential post.

In a statement obtained by People Sport, the veteran Nyamweya outlined his reasons for vying for the top seat currently held by Nick Mwendwa and promised to present his blueprint and team in the coming days.

“Now that we have a roadmap towards the elections, I am offering my candidature as president of FKF to complete what I had started in 2012-2016,” Nyamweya (pictured) announced.

“It is worth noting that I successfully served one term, and constitutionally I am allowed to stand for another term.”

“In the days to come, I will present my blueprint of what my team and I intend to do to revive Kenyan football, which has been struggling. I am assembling a team which I will unveil shortly.”

Nyamweya further outlined his plans for Kenyan football, with making the men’s and women’s Premier Leagues autonomous and run by a professional company topping his list.

Other priorities include streamlining football officiating, strengthening the national teams, criminalizing match-fixing and manipulation, collaborating with county governments to enhance county leagues, working with the government to support grassroots football, ensuring the success of the 2027 Afcon championships, appointing professional advisors to advance football, sourcing sponsorships for top national leagues and teams, advocating for a National Football Fund, establishing a national youth development program, fostering closer relations with Caf and Fifa, rebuilding football infrastructure and enforcing transparency and zero tolerance for corruption in football management.

Nyamweya took time to thank governors and the FKF for holding a successful SGM.

“After a very successful FKF Special General Meeting on August 24, 2024, which I attended as an observer, I want to thank all the governors who attended for making the event a success.

“It is clear that Kenyan football needed a way forward to move away from the quagmire we have been in over the last few years. The SGM heralds a new era for football, with the pace set by holding transparent, free, all-inclusive and fair elections.”

Nyamweya added, “Now that the SGM is over, it’s time to focus on the elections and chart a new path for Kenyan football. There is no perfect document, but we have a way forward that has been approved by the supreme body of the Federation. I am therefore appealing to the football family to let bygones be bygones and look forward to the elections, as we now have a roadmap. Let us forget the antagonism, successes, and failures notwithstanding.”