FIFA Lifts Ban on Kenya

Sports CS Ababu Nmwamba (left) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (right).
Sports CS Ababu Nmwamba (left) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (right).
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Ababu Namwamba

World football governing body FIFA on Monday, November 28, lifted the ban on Kenya.

In a letter from Secretary-General Fatma Samoura to FKF CEO Barry Otieno, a delegation comprising FIFA and CAF will be deployed to Kenya to define the next steps.

FIFA also announced plans to meet the new Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba in a bid to iron out further issues in the country's sports sector. 

CS Ababu Namwamba speaks to FIFA on phone
CS Ababu Namwamba speaking on phone with FIFA seeking to unlock problems that have seen Kenya banned from International Football
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Ababu Namwamba

FIFA suspended Kenya from all footballing activities in February 2022, after former Sports CS Amina Mohamed disbanded the Football Kenya Federation in November 2021. 

This prevented Kenya from taking part in all international competitions. Following the ban, Kenya missed out on three continental competitions including the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, CAF confederations and Champions League games. 

This formed part of CS Namwamba's key focus when assuming office. On his first day in office, the Sports CS engaged FIFA on a phone call in a bid to resolve the impasse. 

“On my first day in office, I engaged FIFA on the phone to commence the process of resolving the impasse that has seen Kenya banned by the world football governing body.

"Government is committed to returning Kenyan football to normalcy in sync with the rule of law and public good,” he previously stated. 

Namwamba met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday, November 24, to ensure the country was in good books with the Federation. 

"I met in Doha today; FIFA President Gianni Infantino, General Secretary Fatma Samoura and CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

"I congratulate Qatar for superbly hosting the world’s most loved sporting event, and commend FIFA for making football truly global," Namwamba noted. 

Harambee Stars players celebrate during their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on October 14, 2018.
Harambee Stars players celebrate during their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on October 14, 2018.
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