This archive report was first published on 5 November 2021.
On November 4, 2021, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa and officials faced a tense hearing before the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare in Nairobi. The committee, chaired by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, had invited FKF, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, and interested parties to address concerns over the federation's audit and alleged financial mismanagement.
The audit, which was conducted by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and National Intelligence Service, had raised concerns over the federation's spending of Sh244 million on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals. The committee also sought to understand the allegations that a further Sh11 million was paid in refunds directly into FKF President Mwendwa's account without requisite documentation and approvals.
FKF officials, including President Mwendwa and CEO Barry Otieno, expressed concerns over the manner in which the audit was conducted. They claimed that they had not been given notice of the inspection, which is against the laws of natural justice. Otieno stated, 'Chair, we only learnt of the order of the inspection through the media. There was no notice, which is against the laws of natural justice.'
Mwendwa echoed Otieno's concerns, saying that they read malice in the inspection process. He stated, 'The manner in which it was done suggests the whole exercise is predetermined. In my five years as the head of the federation, we have been audited five times and that is why Fifa continues to fund our activities.'
Senator Sakaja sought to understand the basis of FKF's fears, pointing out that no organisation, including the Ministry of Sports, can avoid inspection. He stated, 'Section 52 of the Sports Act does not compel the Registrar to issue a notice, for it says, 'The Registrar may, at any time, or if so directed by the Cabinet Secretary, cause an inspection to be made by any person authorised by the Registrar …'
The committee also asked FKF officials to prepare to answer to the allegations raised by journalist Milton Nyakundi and Suba Churchill, the co-ordinator of the National Civil Society Congress. Senator Sakaja informed the parties that they would be called back for another session.
