By Fredrick Nadduli,
Kenyan football has for ages suffered helplessly under a regime that did more harm than good in the administration and development of the sport.
From mismanagement to embezzlement of funds to neglect of youth structures if at all they existed (sic), the game was almost on its knees, crying out for a messiah.
Consequently, a fatigued nation was prepared to give anything and everything to liberate its favorite pastime.
Then step up the elections, and reminiscent of rain after a long dry spell, swept all chaff into the proverbial sea.
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
Nick Mwendwa assumed the reins and a breath of fresh air swept across the entire land; or so Kenyans thought. He rode into office on the famous slogan of ‘change’ and stakeholders could not help feeling excited and relieved.
The new president campaigned on the platform of a new modus operandi, a far cry from the unpopular style of his predecessor who was considered archaic, aloof and arrogant all rolled into one.
And so ‘Team Change’ settled snugly into office.
Barely eight weeks into the job, there are glaringly worrying signs that the old order is here to stay.
That impunity will stubbornly stick with us for the long haul looks almost as certain as night follows day.
After all the ruckus caused by the appointment of rookie coach Stanley Okumbi to handle the senior national side, the federation was left with egg on the face when it beat a hasty retreat following the inclusion of a member with a shady past to the U20 technical bench. The appointment of the goalkeeping coach was hurriedly revoked.
Which led Kenyans to query whether the federation performs due diligence before appointing or considering individuals to positions? More scary is unconfirmed reports that the president wields a strong influence in the selection of players to the national side.
When the Harambee Stars travel itinerary was sought in respect of their Afcon qualifier away to Guinea Bissau, squeezing information out of the secretariat proved a herculean task.
The team and media were involved in a sorry cat and mouse affair as the country waited with bated breath for the final list of players to be released.
When news eventually filtered through, there were raised eyebrows on the inclusion of two youthful players from the lower tier at the expense of experienced war horses for the massive job in West Africa.
This issue had football circles going ballistic, but definitely not more than the list of officials accompanying the team.
A massive nineteen non-playing staff made the passenger manifest, from president to coach to government proxies, with other roles apparently duplicated while others simply unnecessary.
A perfect reincarnation of the old order.
STICK TO LANES
While the roles of the bloated officials’ list in the travelling party are neither here nor there, that of the technical bench is very clear.
Nick needs to detach himself from matters that touch on team selection and tactics and to desist from high-end patronage.
He is a technocrat, not a coach by any chance. He may be a passionate Kenyan unknowingly blinded by diehard patriotism like the rest of us, but sticking to his core role of administration would be the least the country expects of him.
And while at it, would he mind doing things that distinguish him from the old administration, however unpopular?
That team’s style was rotten to the core. It stunk like a skunk.
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