FKF declines invite for stakeholders round table discussion

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has pulled out of the stakeholders' consultative discussion  scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. 

There has been a push-and-pull regarding FKF elections with the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) canceling them twice due to issues raised by some stakeholders. 

SDT chairman John Ohaga had last week set a round table meeting that was to include all the stakeholders and interested parties, but FKF has opted out. 

In a letter signed by FKF President Nick Mwendwa, the federation says it has acted on World Football Governing's body, Fifa's advice on the matter. 

"The federation is of the considered view that this contest between it and the challengers has gone full circle through a heavily contested litigious and adversarial process which culminated with the tribunal decision of March 17 which made no positive order directing or requiring the federation to undertake any process (es) or to perform any act," the letter reads in part.

Ideally, a mediation process is party-driven and voluntary, usually negotiations in mediation are undertaken before an impartial and neutral third party without decision-making powers. In any event, the stakeholders of football in Kenya comprise of many other parties and entities outside these proceedings,"

The federation is duty-bound to comply with the directives already taken and communicated by Fifa to the tribunal. Fifa is expected to communicate a way forward to the federation after the COVID-19 pandemic is contained . FKF will await Fifa's direction and communication on how the elections will be concluded and the communication will be shared with the Tribunal.

"Subsequently, we are unable to engage the Tribunal on the virtual round table discussion on the account of the foregoing," the letter concludes. 

The discussion will be held via Zoom and kicks off at 2:30pm.