In a bold statement following the national football elections held on Saturday, former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa has claimed that the elections were neither free nor fair, alleging that they were rigged to favour certain candidates.
Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, Mwendwa pulled no punches, describing the electoral process as “a sham” and a “betrayal of democracy.”
Mwendwa, who was ousted from the FKF presidency in November 2021 amid a tumultuous period for Kenyan football, expressed his dismay at what he believes was a pre-determined outcome that undermined the will of the football community.
Allegations of Rigging
Mwendwa, who led FKF for over five years before being suspended by the government, pointed out several irregularities during the elections that took place at Kasarani Gymnasium. Mwendwa was contesting as a Vice-President to Doris Petra, and they managed 31 votes in round one, 11 fewer than eventual winner Hussein Mohammed, who garnered 42.
With neither candidate managing the required 50 percent threshold, three of them – Mohammed, Petra former FKF CEO Barry Otieno – were supposed to face off in the second round but Petra and Otieno pulled out in favour of the winner.
According to him, there were reports of multiple instances where voters were denied their right to vote, while others were allegedly influenced or intimidated into voting for certain candidates. He also raised concerns over the manipulation of voter rolls and the lack of transparency in the voting process.
“I have no doubt in my mind that these elections were rigged. From the very beginning, the process was flawed,” Mwendwa told Sports.Boom.com. “You had certain people getting access to voter rolls and using their influence to sway votes. Some delegates were deliberately blocked from attending the polls, while others were coerced into voting a particular way. This is not democracy—this is a farce.”
The FKF election is a crucial event in Kenyan football, as it determines the leadership that will steer the federation’s activities, including the management of national teams, grassroots development, and football infrastructure.
Mwendwa’s administration, which was marked by significant reforms in Kenyan football, was abruptly cut short after the government took over FKF operations in 2021. Since then, Mwendwa has faced several legal battles, but his passion for Kenyan football remains undiminished.
FKF Electoral Process Under Scrutiny
While the Federation’s electoral process was managed by an independent elections body, Mwendwa’s remarks suggest that he believes the entire system was manipulated in favor of a certain faction.
Several of Mwendwa’s supporters have also expressed their concerns on social media, alleging that the electoral body failed to ensure a level playing field.
Mwendwa also noted that the election process lacked proper oversight and accountability. “The electoral body was supposed to be independent, but it was clear that there were undue influences from certain quarters. How do you explain that certain candidates were allowed to campaign, while others were denied the same right? How do you explain the last-minute changes to the voter rolls?”
He went on to highlight how the voting process appeared skewed in favor of candidates who had the backing of powerful figures within Kenyan football, many of whom were perceived to have been instrumental in his removal from office three years ago.
“I’ve been in this game long enough to know when something is wrong,” Mwendwa said. “You cannot have an election where everyone knows the results before the voting even happens. This was never a fair contest. This was about controlling the outcome, not giving the football community a real choice.”
Criticism of the Current FKF Administration
Mwendwa, who has maintained that his administration made significant strides in improving Kenyan football, did not hold back in criticizing the newly elected FKF leadership. He referred to the recent elections as a continuation of what he described as “a plan to suppress true football leadership” in Kenya.
A Call for Justice
In his exclusive remarks, Mwendwa emphasized that despite the election results, he would not back down in his fight for the future of Kenyan football. “I’m not going anywhere,” he asserted. “I’ve always said that I will do everything in my power to make sure that football in Kenya thrives. This election, this process, was not about football—it was about power. But it’s not over yet.”
He has called on the global football governing body, FIFA, to intervene and investigate the electoral process. “FIFA cannot sit back and allow this to continue. They need to come and look at what has happened here. Football in Kenya deserves better, and the people deserve better.”
As Kenya moves forward in the aftermath of the controversial elections, the future of the national football scene remains uncertain. The dispute between Mwendwa and the new FKF leadership is likely to continue, with the federation’s direction hanging in the balance.
Whether Mwendwa’s claims of rigging will lead to any legal or administrative actions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the battle for Kenyan football leadership is far from over.
