Former Harambee Stars coach Paul Put, who recently resigned after only 74 days in charge of the national team, has mentioned Deputy President William Ruto as one of those who failed to deliver on promises of support they made when convincing him to sign the contract to lead the team.
Put, who has already been appointed as Guinea head coach, revealed that all his requests that were meant to professionalize the running of the team fell on deaf ears.
"My personal reasons is my reputation that I have in Africa. Look, I’ve been requesting things but nothing was forthcoming but the Kenyan people were expecting a lot from me. Now, how do I work with nothing?
"When I met the Sports Principal Secretary (Peter Kaberia), he assured he would provide everything I needed. The same case with Deputy President (William Ruto), these are things we agreed on with (FKF President) Nick Mwendwa and CEO Robert (Muthomi) before I signed the contract, but nothing was delivered. Had I known this, I wouldn’t have signed the contract, especially after tendering my resignation in Algeria thrice," Put explained.
Among the things Put wanted was five more staff on the technical bench plus an analysing system to help track players abroad and study opponents.
[caption caption="DP William Ruto and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua celebrate a Harambee Stars goal during the CECAFA finals last year"]
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He also revelaled that Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chairman, Nick Mwendwa, shockingly rejected a friendly he had secured with Algeria as the opponents 'were too tough'.
“About the match agent, I was requested to take Kenya to play in Algeria by the president of USM Algier who is also the vice president of the country’s federation. He told me he could invite us to play Algeria and they would pay everything for all 32 people.
"I sent him mail suggesting 44 people, and he agreed everything and signed, then I gave the proposal to FKF President (Mwendwa) but he was afraid that they would be too strong for us, saying we look for other opponents. They (FKF) have a match agent they are working with and were making a fool of me. FKF suggested Angola but no documentation was forthcoming from the federation," Put lamented.
With an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Ghana coming up, Put expressed his dissapointment with the management of football in Kenya, stating that it was a let-down to the many talents working to succeed.
“I can’t give any comment because I am no longer Kenya’s coach. I gave my report on how to professionalise football here but I think the main problem is finance,” Put concluded.
[caption caption="Guinea coach Paul Put with Nick Mwendwa"]
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