This archive report was first published on 17 November 2021.
Kenya's top football clubs, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, have joined forces with the government to call for an independent body to run the country's top-flight league. This move comes after the expiry of the agreement with Kenya Premier League (KPL) Limited in September 2020.
On November 11, 2021, the government appointed a caretaker committee to run the affairs of Kenyan football for a six-month period, paving the way for elections of new leadership at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). FKF President Nick Mwendwa was arrested and arraigned in court on corruption-related charges and is accused of siphoning millions from FKF coffers.
Former Harambee Stars international Taiwo Atieno was appointed as the Commercial Director of KPL Limited on the same day, November 11, 2021. His brief includes securing investment in local clubs, youth training facilities, and stadia.
According to AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda, the KPL model, which was working well, should be adopted. He argued that a committee made by the club's chairmen should run the league, including the referees' body, to bring an end to poor officiating.
Posta Rangers Chairman John Tonui also pushed for the KPL model, asking the caretaker committee to ensure the league resumed in two weeks as promised to avoid Kenya lagging behind in the international football calendar.
Gor Mahia Chairman Ambrose Rachier highlighted the clashes pitting clubs vs federation that characterized the Nick Mwendwa era. He stated that the caretaker committee should consider outsourcing a body to run the league professionally, so that clubs can have a way of participating in decision-making.
