Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu has urged the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Government of Kenya to work together to avert the looming ban by FIFA.
Kenya was banned from world football for nine months in 2022 because of governmental interference in the running of the game and was subsequently barred from qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
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And speaking to the BBC, Okumu feels that the recent push and pull between the two bodies might jeopardize football development in the country.
“(When) all stakeholders come together and make a proper plan to accommodate the players, we can move to the next level. We have to stop shooting ourselves in the foot by getting suspended from football because it’s a problem.
“It keeps affecting the country and up-and-coming players as well. It’s crucial for us to head in the same direction for the good of Kenyan football. Until we get that right it will prevent the country from competing against other top nations and be difficult for our football to grow,” Okumu said.
Late last month, FIFA wrote to FKF informing them to comply with its statutes and proceed with its AGM or face another suspension after it was halted by the High Court in Mombasa following an application by journalist Milton Nyakundi, who challenged the legality of holding the AGM and the eligibility of some election candidates.
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