FIFA Lifts Ban On Kenya After CS Namwamba's Promise
CS Namwamba had initially promised to resolve the embargo as part of his priority tasks since assuming office.
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World football governing body, FIFA, has lifted the suspension of Kenya's Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
In a letter addressed to FKF CEO Barry Otieno, Secretary-General Fatma Samoura noted that FIFA will send its Confederation of African Football (CAF) delegation to Nairobi to determine the next steps for FKF.
The federation will also meet with Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts Cabinet Secretary (CS), Ababu Namwamba, who had initially promised to resolve the embargo as part of his priority tasks since assuming office.
Namwamba had reinstated into office the FKF Executive Committee which was disbanded by former Sports Cabinet Secretary, Amina Mohamed.
Sports CS Ababu Namwamba with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. /FILE
“We would like to inform you that the situation of the FKF was submitted to the Bureau of Fifa Council for consideration and decision on 25 November 2022,”
“On this occasion, the Bureau was informed of the official letter dated 4 November, 2022 from the FKF General Secretary Barry Otieno to Fifa confirming that the Kenyan government as represented by the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Sports, the Hon. Ababu Namwamba had reinstated the FKF Executive committee with immediate effect. The bureau also noted that the FKF General secretary further asserted that the FKF offices had been handed back to the association‘s elected leaders.
“In view of the circumstances, the Bureau of the council decided on 25 November 2022, to lift the suspension of the FKF with immediate effect.” the statement by Samoura read.
Appearing before the National Assembly's Committee on Appointments on Friday, October 21, Namwamba placed making a phone call with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as his first order of business in the event he would be approved as the Sports CS.
"On my first morning in the office, I'd be on the phone with Mr Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, to resolve the ban on FKF and Harambee Stars," he told MPs vetting him.
True to his word, he was on the phone with FIFA officials, terming the phone conversation as the start of the process of having the ban lifted.
“On my day one in office today, I engaged FIFA on the phone to commence the process of resolving the impasse that has seen Kenya banned by the world football governing body. Government is committed to returning Kenyan football to normalcy in sync with the rule of law and public good,” posted Namwamba in late October.
Almost a month later, the two crossed paths in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The country was excluded from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers which had kicked off in June and could not host or play in any international matches under the FIFA ban.
FIFA had asked the country's leadership to address the ailings in order for the ban to be lifted, but former CS Amina maintained that the transition committee was formed to stabilise the football mess in Kenya.
She further affirmed that the decision to disband FKF fully adhered to the Laws of Kenya and followed the legal process.
An image of FIFA offices. /beIN SPORTS
