Kenya has been banned indefinitely from footballing activities by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) over government interference.
In a statement on Thursday, February 24, 2022, FIFA president Gianni Infantino banned Kenya alongside Zimbabwe adding that the ban would take effect immediately.
“We had to suspend two of our member associations — Kenya and Zimbabwe. Both for government interference in the activities of the football associations. These associations are suspended from footballing activities with immediate effect. They know what needs to be done for them to be reinstated,” Infantino’s statement read in part.
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Following the ban, Kenyan clubs are barred from competing in international championships and referees as well are banned from officiating international fixtures.
The ban comes a few months after Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disbanded the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and appointed a caretaker committee chaired by Retired Chief Justice Aaron Ringera in its place.
The then President Nick Mwendwa led body was accused of mismanagement of funds. This led to the arrest and charging of Mwendwa,
FIFA stated that it will not interfere with the investigations, adding that it was ready to cooperate with the relevant agencies in the investigation.
“Finally, notwithstanding this suspension imposed on the FKF and in line with FIFA zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and any other unethical conduct, FIFA reiterates its commitment to cooperating with any ongoing investigations regarding FKF officials,” FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samour’s letter to FKF CEO Barry Otieno read in part.
