Football Kenya Federation (FKF) deputy president and Team Blue FKF presidential candidate Doris Petra has been lauded for a steadfast commitment in developing women football in Kenya.
Members of Team Blue, which is allied to current FKF boss Nick Mwendwa and Doris
Petra, who is vying for the FKF presidency with Mwendwa as her running mate credited the current leadership with the steady rise of women and youth football that has been witnessed in the last eight years since the election of Mwendwa and Petra to lead the federation.
Speaking just days after the FKF county level elections, Team Blue exuded confidence that Petra and Mwendwa will take the development into higher heights once they get a fresh mandate as they have the passion and will to drive this growth even further.
Leakey Amonya of KISPED Queens FC while acknowledging that women’s football still has a long way to go believes the current administration’s most significant achievement has been in this area.
“Considering the previous state of women’s football in the country, it’s fair to recognize the positive progress made,” Leakey noted.
Leakey urged Team Blue to maintain its focus and continue to prioritize the growth and development of women’s football.
Francis Oliele, the chairman, FKF Nakuru County said that supporting the Petra and Mwendwa ticket extends beyond mere partisan loyalty and is based on the significant development that has been achieved during the leadership of Mwendwa since his election in 2016 alongside Petra who has been the deputy president.
“Our support for Doris and Mwendwa stems from witnessing their significant contributions to Kenyan football over the past eight years.
My personal experience with Doris Petra, as a former NEC member of Riftvalley, where I currently now serve as chairman of Nakuru County, underscores her dedication and commitment,” Oliele said.
“Her advocacy for women’s space in football is commendable, and her loyal and effective service as Nick Mwendwa’s deputy has earned her support.
The remarkable growth in Kenyan football over the past year is undeniable, and we believe that continuing on this trajectory requires the continued leadership of Doris Petra and Nick Mwendwa.
Team Blue’s support is not arbitrary; it’s rooted in a shared vision for the future of Kenyan football,”he continued.
His Kericho counterpart Alfred Kirui, significant progress has been made in football management under the stewardship of Mwendwa and Petra and the keep the upward trajectory in motion, Petra deserves all the support to continue with the development that has been witnessed and take Kenyan football to even higher heights.
“Our support for Doris and Nick extends beyond mere partisan loyalty. We recognize the significant progress made in football management and wholeheartedly endorse Team Blue’s vision for the future of football in Kenya, Kirui said.
According to yet another leader who has witnessed first hand women football development, Joshua Okwiry Ariko of Eldoret Falcons said that the long-standing advocacy for women’s football growth which Petra has demonstrated is unquestionable and as someone who is directly involved in women football, the fruits are there for all to see.
“My support for Doris Petra stems from her long-standing advocacy for women’s football. Her election as Deputy President, where she continued her tireless work, was a significant moment. Her election as FA President will mark a monumental victory for women’s football,” Okwiry explained.
Another Team Blue diehard Mandera chairman Issack Ismail said; “We have worked closely with Doris and Nick, and their commitment to football is clear. Attempts to introduce individuals with questionable backgrounds into the game is unacceptable. Team Blue’s vision is unwavering, and we won’t be swayed by those with dubious intentions,” Ismail, who won in the rescheduled elections on Saturday emphasized.
Turkana chairman William Lokwee identified the football for schools and women football campaign programs as the game changers that had revolutionized football in the far flung county and contributed to societal progress.
“The football for schools and women football campaign programs have revolutionized football in Turkana county. We’ve witnessed tremendous growth in the numbers of young girls and boys interested in the game, positively impacting security in our county. With Team Blue, we are going to continue to champion grassroots projects that uplift our community,” Lokwee said.
In Nairobi East, newly elected chairman Dickson Doyo praised Team Blue for a decisive victory in the county level elections exuding confidence that the Petra-Mwendwa team will win at the national elections.
“Team Blue secured a decisive victory in this branch elections and I am incredibly proud of our hard work. Team Blue led by Doris and Nick has clearly won and this is a significant milestone as we move forward to the next level,” Doyo said.
And in Machakos, newly elected chairman Ahmed Noor said that under Nick Mwendwa and Doris Petra, Kenya has achieved tremendous development in football management and said that Team Blue supports the duo to continue with the development that they have been able to achieve in the last eight years. Noor particularly singled out the advocacy of women football development by Petra as a key pointer to her dedication to growth and noted that he supports Petra and Mwendwa to continue with the current development.
Nyamira FKF county chairman Vincent Nyasani reiterated that as FKF County Branch Officials, the focus remains on addressing the numerous challenges at the grassroots level. He stressed that supporting candidates whose platforms are unclear is not a priority.
“As a member of Team Blue led by Doris and Nick , we have a shared vision that has clearly articulated our collective goals. Unlike other candidates who seem opportunistic, Team Blue’s commitment extends beyond the election cycle. Therefore, we are confident in our ability to achieve our shared objectives. Its a team thing,” Nyasani stressed.
On his part, Kilifi chairman Dickson Angore said; “Our focus is grassroots football development. Team Blue’s clear vision and long-term commitment set us apart from opportunistic candidates.”
Bomet chairman David Siele identified youth programs like Chapa Dimba na Safaricom as un rivaled show of commitment in the federation to develop football from the grassroots level.
” For years, we’ve invested in grassroots football through initiatives like Chapa Dimba, Football for Schools, women’s football campaigns, youth leagues, and other programs. Yet, many of these individuals remained disengaged, offering no support to grassroots football activities. Why should we trust them now, solely because of the upcoming FKF elections, when it’s clear they lack genuine interest in the sport?” Siele questioned.
“We have a shared vision for football’s future, and we’ve remained focused on achieving it,” Siele added.
With the elections at the branch level concluded, Team Blue has garnered 31 confirmed county chairmen in their fold as well as three others in the grey areas that have been seen to lean towards Team Blue.
Team blue has as well claimed a strong command in different regions painting a strong nationwide look ahead of the national elections set to be held in December.
Meanwhile, Makueni county branch chairman Samuel Mwongela has weighed in on the thorny issue of electoral eligibility in Football Kenya Federation (FKF) based on membership.
Speaking after the conclusion of the FKF branch elections, Mwongela noted that FKF is an association of members who are well known from different levels and non members are known. Further, Mwongela clarified that for one to be a member of FKF, you must have been actively involved in football matters either at club and official capacity and the members know the intricacies and pains of working on football development from the grassroots.
“Members of FKF know fellow members. One cannot stay on the perifery then when elections are called,you cheat your way into club membership thinking the other members don’t know this,” Mwongela said.
“I think it is not right for people to cheat their way into the federation just for the purpose of elections by the virtue of organizing a seasonal tournament. Even political leaders organize campaign tournaments but that does not make them members of FKF,” he added.
Mwongela categorically said that the members of FKF are clear in their minds of the genuine members and those who duped their way to the ballot cannot do anything to sway members to their way as the members are the genuine people who understand the pain of developing football from the lowest level and understand the best interest for the game.
