Following receipt of communication from the world football governing body, FIFA, with regard to the FKF Football Kenya Federation elections, the Independent Electoral Board of FKF wishes to state the following pertaining the said elections.
1. Elections
In consonance with the directive from FIFA and in the spirit of progression, the FKF electoral process shall be predicated upon the FKF Statutes, the FKF Electoral Code currently in force and/or the FIFA Statutes/guidelines where required or where applicable. The electoral process shall begin at county level in accordance with article 27 of the FKF (2017) Constitution.
2. Candidate Eligibility Criteria
Due regard has been placed on the requisite minimum qualifications for candidates and so as to achieve inclusivity and participation to the greatest extent possible, the Independent Electoral Board adopts the eligibility criterion set out in Article 27 of the FIFA statutes and in line with both the FIFA Standard Electoral Code and FKF Statutes as detailed below:
President and Vice President
- a) A candidate must be an adult Kenyan Citizen by birth.
- b) A candidate must have, at least, five endorsements from any of the FKF Members.
- c) A candidate must have played an active role in football either as a player, member or an official of FKF in two of the last five years as per the FIFA Statutes.
- d) A candidate must satisfy the requirements for leadership and integrity set out in Chapter Six of the 2010 Kenyan Constitution.
National Executive Committee Members
- a) A candidate must be an adult Kenyan Citizen by birth.
- b) A candidate must have at least five endorsements from any FKF Members, two of which must be from members domiciled in the region he/she seeks to represent.
- c) A candidate must have played an active role in football either as a player, member or an official of FKF in two of the last five years as per the FIFA Statutes.
Branch Officials
- a) A candidate must be an adult Kenyan Citizen by birth.
- b) A candidate must have at least five endorsements from any FKF Members domiciled in the County he/she seeks to represent.
- c) A candidate must have played an active role in football either as a player, member or an official of FKF in two of the last five years as per the FIFA Statutes.
3. Submission of Nomination papers
In consideration of the economic impact occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, candidates who had submitted their nomination papers in the 3 February 2020 FKF elections, both at national and branch level, and wish to contest again, will not be required to either resubmit their nomination papers or to pay the requisite nomination fees. However, they will need to be current in the adherence to Chapter 6 of the Constitution of Kenya.
Aspirants who had not submitted their nominations and who now wish to submit their nomination papers to the Electoral Board will be accorded an opportunity to submit their candidature and pay the respective nomination fees, as provided for under the existing FKF Electoral Code and within the timelines stipulated in the new electoral calendar.
4. Endorsements
FKF members who wish to withdraw their endorsements and/or endorse a different candidate in accordance with the FKF Electoral Code are free to do so, on the days provided for in the Electoral Calendar. This will require that a meeting is held by the club officials, minutes signed by the Chairperson and Secretary, and submitted to the Board.
5. Voter Register
The voter register shall remain the same since no football activity has taken place since the last election due to the Corona pandemic. However, for transparency and fairness, the Board in its Electoral Road map, has allocated days for raising and resolving any disputes regarding the voter register, including the eligibility of clubs. The Board advises any individual(s) with such dispute or complaint to lodge them within the set timelines as published in the Electoral Calendar and accompanied with the following mandatory documents:
- a) League standing for all the number of years the club participated in the FKF leagues.
- b) Player Cards for all players and for all the number of seasons played.
- c) Fixtures for the number of seasons played.
- d) Affiliation letter from the relevant FKF branch and/or proof of affiliation to FKF, including proof of any payments made to FKF as affiliation fees.
6.Health Regulations
Owing to the current COVID 19 situation, both the national and branch elections will be conducted in line with the existing state sanctioned health regulations and protocols in force within the country for the safety and well-being of all participating in the elections. The Electoral Board in consultation with FKF and FIFA will continue to explore the safest options for conducting the elections.
Calendar
As per our mandate, the Electoral Board of FKF is committed to overseeing free and fair elections within the statutory framework of both the FKF and FIFA statutes. In this respect, the calendar has been developed to ensure an efficient process. Updates will be continuously communicated to participants and posted on the website in time for scrutiny. Our aim is to ensure an auditable electoral process for posterity.
Also Read: FKF Electoral Board statement on FKF elections, FIFA position