Petra meets 53 as scramble for FKF delegates intensifies

With only under two weeks to the highly anticipated Football Kenya Federation (FKF) national elections, presidential candidates have continued to jostle for delegate’s support with the frontrunners among the eight hopefuls unleashing their homestretch speed in an attempt to win.

Doris Petra, who is running alongside outgoing president Nick Mwendwa, on Friday and Saturday, gathered 53 delegates in Naivasha as she sought to consolidate her base, ahead of the heated polls.

According to Petra, the 53, and other eight who were not present, have pledged support for her candidature, despite contestation by her rivals who also claim endorsement from a section of them.

Immediate former FKF Secretary General Barry Otieno, Kakamega Homeboyz Chairman Cleophas ‘Toto’ Shimanyula and Murang’a SEAL Vice Chairman Hussein Mohammed are particularly dismissing the huge support claimed by Petra, calling for calm ahead of December 7 polls, which to all, will be indeed be the moment of truth.

Among the 25 club delegates who Petra asserts are firmly in her camp is Shabana FC Chairman Jared Nevaton, who was at the Naivasha retreat.

“I’m proudly supporting ‘Team Blue’ (Petra’s movement) because having been in football for long enough; I have seen Doris’ ability. The NSL and the Premier League have evolved into proper professional leagues under her leadership, so I support the proven record,” said Nevaton, during his address in the retreat.

FKF Nakuru County Chairman Francis Oliele and his Homa Bay counterpart Maurice Ogweno were also among present branch delegates.

“I was elected by the Nakuru football stakeholders to drive the development of football in our County. My vision is in line with the vision that Team Blue shares and therefore, I’m supporting Petra’s ticket so that we march together in propelling football both at County and national levels. My support for Team Blue is purely based on the agenda,” explained Oliele in his remarks at the forum.

"We have a federation leadership that has shown they know the direction we need to go as a country. As Team Blue, we are going to support Doris and Nick so that we can continue with the development which has been ongoing in Kenya," averred Ogweno.

Petra, who has kept her self-effacing personality in the campaigns so far, pleaded with the delegates at the Naivasha retreat to “remain steadfast to the end.”

"I'm indeed very humbled by this endorsement. I want to thank you for showing support to the course. Having been in active football for long, I’m so clear on where we are and where we are going.

“I know there is a lot to do, I know what we need to fix, but I’m glad there is a lot that we have achieved so far, that results are there for everyone to see.  I promise with this endorsement and show of confidence in the leadership of Team Blue, we shall take football forward together," Petra told the delegates, adding she projects to win with over 60 votes, of the possible 92.

In almost a similar fashion, on Thursday, Petra’s fierce rival Barry also met 16 delegates representing clubs from the FKF National Super League, women’s Premier League, and the men’s and women’s Division One Leagues.

Levi Mugabe, representing Kisumu All Starlets in the meeting, drummed support for Barry, during his remarks in the forum.

“Barry has been at the Federation for five years as the CEO. He knows where the gaps are and has the expertise to lead us to where we want to go. We fully support his candidature and wish him all the best,” said Mugabe.

Clubs that formed part of the engagement included Mathare United, Mara Sugar, Kibera Black Stars, Darajani Gogo, Dimba Patriots, Kisumu All Starlets, Equity, Naivas, Fortune Sacco, Vihiga Queens, and GFE 105 are among others; according to a communiqué sent to newsrooms.

Citizen Digital understands some of the presidential candidates have opted to keep their meetings with delegates a private affair.

Apart from Petra, Barry, Hussein and Shimanyula, ex-Kenyan international Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino, Sam Ocholla, Chris Amimo and Tom Alila are in the FKF presidential race.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the FKF Electoral Board released the list of the 92 delegates who will be voting in the December 7 elections, at the MISC Kasarani.

Notably, Shimanyula and Hussein will be voters by virtue of being the delegates of their clubs Homeboyz and SEAL respectively thus are assured of at least a vote before relying on others.

At the NEC membership races, Dan Shikanda who is eyeing the Nairobi Region seat has the privilege of voting for himself as he is the voter for Premier League side AFC Leopards.

Similarly, Charles Njagi of National Super League side 3K FC and who is seeking the Eastern Region NEC member seat, enjoys the privilege.