The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Electoral Board has released the preliminary list of presidential aspirants cleared to contest in the upcoming FKF elections.
Among those cleared is Doris Petra, who will run for the presidency alongside Nick Mwendwa, the current president, as her running mate. This comes after a role reversal between the two, as Mwendwa is ineligible for re-election, having already completed two terms in office.
Also vying for the top seat are FKF Youth Committee Chair Chris Amimo, former FKF president Sam Nyamweya, Hussein Mohamed, Tom Alila, Gor Mahia Secretary General Sam Ocholla, former FKF Secretary General Barry Otieno, former Kenyan international Sammy Kempes, and Kakamega Homeboyz Chairman Cleophas Shimanyula.
The release of the cleared candidates signals the start of the election process, including the opportunity for appeals and objections ahead of the elections, which begin at the branch level.
Nine of the 48 branch chairmen who will participate in the polls have already been cleared unopposed. These include Kenneth Ruto (Baringo), Maurice Ogweno (Homa Bay), Denis Murimi (Kirinyaga), Samuel Mwongela (Makueni), Ismael Mohammed (Mandera), James Lolochom (Samburu), Odha Hayesa (Tana River), Daniel Hibichu (Tharaka Nithi), and William Lokwe (Turkana).
These unopposed branch leaders will serve as key players in the presidential race as the remaining 39 branches prepare for their own elections.
In addition to the presidential contest, the race for the 10 National Executive Committee (NEC) seats is also drawing attention. These seats represent the eight former provinces, with Rift Valley divided into Upper and Lower sections. The final NEC seat is reserved for the women’s representative.
In Nairobi, incumbent Michael Majua, aligned with the Petra-Mwendwa camp, will face six challengers, including AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda, Athanus Oballa, Simon Mugo, Isaac Macharia, James Masese, and Daniel Ongware. The Central region sees a two-way contest between incumbent Davis “Shei” Chege and Robert Macharia, owner of Murang’a Seal FC.
Elsewhere, former Western Stima Chairman Laban Jobita has expressed interest in representing Nyanza, while ex-AFC Leopards coach Nick Yakhama is competing for the Western seat, and former Bandari CEO Edward Oduor is running for the Coast Region spot.
The December FKF presidential elections are highly anticipated, with intense competition expected across various seats as Kenya’s football leadership landscape takes shape.
