Fifa lifts Kenya suspension after government reinstates federation executive committee

The Bureau of the FIFA Council decided to lift the suspension that was imposed on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in February 2022 in accordance with article 16 of the FIFA Statutes.

The ban was imposed, following state interference in the country’s football operations, alleging corruption and embezzlement of funds.

The decision was taken following a letter sent by FKF General Secretary Barry Otieno to FIFA, in which he confirmed 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 FKF General Secretary further asserted that the FKF offices had been handed back to the association’s elected leadership.

Upon the lifting of the suspension, a FIFA-CAF mission will be deployed to Nairobi in order to define the next steps for the FKF and to also meet with the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Sports.

Finally, the lifting of the suspension of the FKF would take place without prejudice to the ongoing investigations and court proceedings at national level.

With Zimbabwe the other nation to have had a ban imposed on them for state interference, using pretty much the same reasoning, they remain the only African nation currently banned. Fifa insits the only way to return to the international fold is for the government to reinstate the Felton Kamambo-led board.

The new Kenyan government formed by William Ruto had sought to make sure to engage with the international community and this was one of the ways to do so.

Kenyan clubs had moved to cancel the league’s top flight action for this season as they felt they were meaningless friendlies given they could not qualify for international competitions.

As it stands, Zimbabwe remains the pariah of African football.