James Magayi @PeopleSport11
Beleaguered Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chief executive officer Robert Muthomi was yesterday forced to step aside pending investigations into damning allegations of using proxies to trade players.
Muthomi’s fate was decided by an extra ordinary FKF National Executive Committee sitting yesterday but the maverick administrator rushed to break the news before a press engagement scheduled today by the federation president Nick Mwendwa to make the announcement.
“In view of the on-going debate and conversations in regard to allegations made by Sofapaka FC on my purported involvement in the transfer of player John Avire, I have this morning requested the FKF president to allow me step aside for investigations to commence,” read part of Muthomi’s resignation letter.
“Nonetheless, I would like to reiterate that I have not resigned my position as Secretary General and CEO of FKF. I will take this opportunity to spend more time with my family in what has been a very busy year, this even as I look forward to resuming my duties in the near future,” added the letter.
The embattled administrator ran into headwinds last week when Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa raised the alarm over Avire’s intended transfer to Egypt. Kalekwa adversely mentioned Muthomi as the man behind the move but the federation CEO dismissed the Sofapaka boss.
One day later, a letter signed by Muthomi introducing the player to Egypt’s embassy for visa application as a fan to the Africa Cup of Nations final emerged. The development plunged Muthomi and FKF into a frenzy with the CEO and the federation making separate statements over the subject and it was only a matter of time before the axe fell.
Sources within the federation intimated to People Sport that Muthomi claimed the letter was a forgery perpetrated by junior staff at Kandanda House. The source said the CEO’s signature used to sign the letter was generic and available to staff in the office.
Federation’s NEC composed of ambitious individuals who are faced with the ballot in a matter of weeks determined that Muthomi would be a baggage too big to carry into elections and were forced to take drastic measures.
Other sources claim the CEO’s fate is sealed and there would be no way back for him. “A number of NEC members have been uncomfortable with Muthomi in the federation and have got the right opportunity to forever throw him out. There is no way back for him after this scandal,” the source said.
Muthomi was appointed CEO in 2016 when Mwendwa led a ‘Team Change’ sweep of the polls but many expressed reservations following his inability to settle Nakuru All Stars players wages in the second tier.
The euphoria of Team Change preserved him until last week when his bubble burst.
