From FKF disbandment to match abandonment, here’s a summary of what happened in the FKF-PL this season

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A past match between Gor Mahia and Posta Rangers./COURTESY

As the Football Kenya Federation Premier League winds up on Sunday, Baraka FM is taking you back and identifying the key events that happened this season.

Despite having ups and downs, finally the FKF-PL will switch off with the defending Champions Tusker still at the upper hand of retaining the trophy, but will have to battle with Kakamega homeboys who spent a lot of the campaign at the top of the table.

Here are some of the major events that took place this season;

1.  Government disbandment of the football federation (FKF)

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed on Thursday November 11th 2021 disbanded the FKF under President Nick Mwendwa and appointed a caretaker committee.

The disbandment of Nick Mwendwa and his staff followed claims of corruption in the FKF office. The disbandment was to allow investigations.

2.  Caretaker Committee ran the league for six months

Immediately after Nick Mwendwa’s staff left office, the government appointed a caretaker committee to manage football affairs in the country for a period of six months.

The committee was chaired by retired Justice Aaron Ringera and Linda Ogutu, who served as Head of Secretariat. Others on the committee were Kenyan football legends Bobby Ogolla and JJ Masiga among other members.

Apart from running football affairs in the country, the committee was also tasked with coordinating FKF elections. They were to hand over to the new federation officials after successful elections.

Despite assuring football fans that it will work to ensure smooth operations of all activities across the nation, the committee failed to conduct elections in the period of six months and instead sent back recommendations to the CS.

3. Sports CS appointed a transition committee to manage the office for 5 weeks

A few days after receiving the report from the caretaker committee, Sports CS Ambassador Amina Mohamed appointed a Transition Committee to run football affairs for five weeks while the government found suitable solutions.

This happened on May 13, 2022.

Surprisingly, CS Amina Mohamed appointed the same people who served in the Caretaker Committee to serve for the remainder of the season.

This meant that the 2021/2022 season was led by three different organizations for the first time in Kenyan history.

4.  Top clubs endorsed KPL LIMITED to run the top flight in the country

Top clubs in the league led by Gor Mahia, Tusker and AFC Leopards unanimously endorsed Kenya Premier League limited to manage the league after FKF was disbanded.

Fifteen top-flight clubs called the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee Judge Aaron Ringera to reinstate KPL limited unconditionally.

The clubs also questioned the committee to reveal what the teams are playing for this season but the committee remained quiet.

5. Matches abandoned because of chaos

On the Sunday of February 13th, a Kenya Premier League clash pitting giants Gor Mahia and Vihiga Bullets was abandoned after chaos erupted at the Moi Kasarani Stadium.

K’Ogalo were leading 1-0 through George Blackberry Odhiambo’s goal when chaos broke out at the stroke of the first half.

Allegedly, a fan jumped over the gates without paying the entry charges. The incident is said to have sparked a brawl between supporters and Gor Mahia security stewards bringing the entertaining match to an abrupt end.

Vihiga Bullets are said to have declined to resume play for the second half citing security reasons.

6.  Bandari sacked Andrew Cassa Mbungo mid-season

Bandari players celebrating a goal./COURTESY

While Bandari’s ship was slowly turning to be the titanic in the middle of the campaign, the Dockers decided to part ways with the Rwandan tactician and appointed Antony ‘Modo’ Kimani as interim manager.

Kimani turned the so-called bad season for the only coastal side playing in the main league and made them title contenders in just seven weeks of being in charge.

Bandari were in the right path since the appointment of Antony Kimani until the last two games where they drew with Ulinzi stars before suffering a defeat against Sofapaka at the Mbaraki stadium.

This means that Bandari can only secure the third place if they get three points in their last game against Kenya police.

7.  Mathare relegated after failing to honor matches

The slam boys were relegated by the transition committee after failing to honor matches against Bandari, Ulinzi Stars and Sofapaka.

According to the FKF constitution any team that fails to honor three matches in one season, will automatically be relegated and Mathare were the victims.

Mathare United Chairman Bob Munro claimed that the team was struggling financially and couldn’t afford playing the rest of the season.

8.  Boycotting of matches

FKF giants Gor Mahia and Kariobangi Sharks boycotted their matches immediately after the appointment of Transition Committee claiming security issues for their games.

To add salt to the wound, Sharks issued a statement through their social media handles saying that they will not honor their remaining matches until further notice.

Newbies Talanta FC also boycotted their match against title contenders Kakamega Homeboys at the Ruaraka Grounds.

The players were protesting non-payment of salary arrears and match-winning bonuses dating back to last season when they featured in the National Super League.

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