Nick Mwendwa has made a comeback as the President of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) after he was kicked out of office following a directive by Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed who ordered investigations into the federation's finances.
Through a letter dated Thursday, September 8, Mwendwa informed FIFA President Gianni Infantino that he had resumed his role as the head of Kenya's football body.
Mwendwa explained that the office Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) had withdrawn charges levelled against him.
"Reference is made to my letter dated November 29, 2021, with regard to the interim transfer of my powers and responsibilities as FKF President to the FKF Vice President.
"In this regard, following the withdrawal of charges by the Directorate of Public Prosecution on July 8, 2022, I hereby wish to inform your good office that I have resumed my duties as the FKF president, with immediate effect, in accordance with Article 42 of the FKF constitution (2017)," his letter directed to FIFA read in part.
His decision to resume duties is set to spark another wrangle with FKF Transition Committee, which was formed to take over his roles.
On October 14, 2021, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed directed the Registrar of Sports to undertake an inspection of the Football Kenya Federation.
She further formed A 15-member caretaker team, headed by retired judge Aaron Ringera to take charge of operations at the federation for six months as the investigations continued.
Following the decision, FIFA suspended football operations, barring Kenya from participating in regional and international competitions.
The football governing body noted that the suspension was due to the government's interference in football activities.
In another letter, FIFA asked the country's leadership to address the mess for the ban to be lifted. However, Amina maintained that the transition committee was formed to solve the football mess in the country.
She added that the decision to disband FKF fully adhered to the Laws of Kenya and followed a legally defined process.
"We tried on many occasions to bring the matter which had festered for long to the attention of FIFA with no success as well.
"It seemed to us at times that FIFA and FKF were reading from the same book. Football in Kenya had deteriorated at all levels due to this mismanagement and had led to a public outcry. The Government has a responsibility to its citizenry to act in the public interest at all times," she explained.
