This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
On Tuesday, 21st April 2020, the world was hit with the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the Judiciary to halt physical court sessions. This led to a video link session of the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) to discuss the case of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) polls.
SDT chairman John Ohaga expressed surprise over what he termed as a change in position by world football governing body, Fifa, during discussions. He had nullified FKF polls last month and ruled that the term of office of FKF's National Executive Committee (NEC) had ended.
"Fifa verbally agreed with that ruling and promised to help in changing the electoral code (to facilitate fresh elections)," observed Ohaga. However, the Tribunal was surprised with the contents of a letter reportedly from Fifa indicating otherwise.
Ohaga had also requested Fifa to help form a normalisation committee to run football in the country in the interim and organise fresh polls for a third time. However, Fifa responded by calling for talks between stakeholders "for the sake of peace" in a letter addressed to FKF general secretary Barry Otieno.
Meanwhile, Nelson Odongo, who appeared for interested parties, suggested to the Tribunal that Ohaga should henceforth communicate directly with Fifa on the way forward. He also expressed concerns that the federation's NEC was still holding meetings despite the SDT ruling.
Ohaga said that he will offer further directions on the raised matters this Friday.
