The Kenyan adage, “what will I tell people.” aptly captures the woes facing Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa. Elected to the helm of Kenyan football in 2016 to much fanfare on the promise of rejuvenating a federation given to corruption and mismanagement, his reign has been punctuated with corruption and mismanagement.
Football fans have rebelliously resorted to musically deride him as “Sauti Sol”, thanks to his shrill voice when defending himself against allegations of graft practises. Sports journalist openly call him out during live football shows. He is a man no one is defending.
If it’s not about unpaid allowances and bonuses to the national team, Harambee Stars, players, it’s the ignominy of football officials irregularly awarding themselves outrageous allowances, a development that has now put him at loggerheads with the state.
On Tuesday, Sports Principal Secretary Joe Okudo told members of Kenyan Parliament that world football governing body, FIFA, had given the Kenyan government the greenlight to probe Football Kenya Federation (FKF) accounts.
Mr. Okudo said officials from the dreaded Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) are probing how the over 200 million shillings allocated to FKF by the Sports ministry for the 2019 African Cup of Nations Championship (AFCON) qualifying games were spent.
“We have all engaged and secured the backing of the International Federation of Association of Football (FIFA) in our investigations. Federations have been hiding behind the threat of a bank for government interference in sports federations.” the Sports Principal Secretary, told MPs
According to the Sports Ministry, Mwendwa is also being questioned on why he paid himself, without authorization, Ksh. 11 million of the money it allocated to the federation.
The DCI is also investigating Ksh. 57 million in allowances and bonuses to the Harambee Stars players and technical bench that the team never received.
Harambee Stars performance has gone from bad to worse over the past few years, with accusing finger being directed at the office of Mwendwa. Footballers cry fowl over peanuts they are paid and favouritism in team selection. Coaches are fired at will and football clubs are grinding to a halt for lack of sponsorship.
Renowned Football commentator Fred Arocho, one of his fiercest critics, has supported government investigations into the FKF accounts.
“Kenya is bigger than any few individuals. I stand with waziri (Sports Cabinet Secretary)” He posted on his Facebook page.
But Nick Mwendwa is putting up a bold face, arguing his accusers are on a mission to taint his image.
“Okudo lied to Parliament. He is simply a liar. FIFA always speaks in the form of letters, and Okudo should show that letter.” He reacted to the accusations by the Sports Principal Secretary, Joe Okudo.