Nick Mwendwa has confirmed that he will defend his position as Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President in the December elections, despite ongoing questions about his eligibility.

“I will be on the ballot,” said the 45-year-old football administrator, dismissing speculation that he would step down and support one of his allies.

Mwendwa was first elected in 2016 and successfully defended his seat in 2020. His re-election bid this year, however, faces legal scrutiny. Under the Sports Act 2013, Section 46 restricts officials of sports organizations to a maximum of two terms of four years each. This has raised concerns over whether Mwendwa is eligible to run for a third term.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has been clear on the issue, saying that no official should remain in office beyond two terms.

“Officials must resign after serving their full term. We cannot have someone occupying an office for more than eight years. They can be considered for other roles, but they must go when their term ends,” Murkomen stated.

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The FKF, which restructured its constitution in 2017, argues that this revision provided Mwendwa and his Executive Committee a new mandate, potentially bypassing the Sports Act’s term limits. However, this interpretation is contentious, and critics argue that the law should prevail.

On Monday, the FKF Electoral Board was unveiled, beginning the process that must conclude with elections by 31st December 2024. Failure to meet this deadline could result in FIFA stepping in and appointing a Normalisation Committee to oversee football activities in the country.

The board, chaired by academician Hesbon Owilla, includes lawyer Marceline Sande as secretary, former AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Mule, and communications expert Alfred Nganga.

Mwendwa faces competition from several candidates, including Gor Mahia legend Sammy “Kempes” Owino, Extreme Sports founder Hussein Mohammed, former KPL CEO Jack Oguda, and former FKF president Sam Nyamweya.

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The stakes are high for the federation. Kenya is set to co-host the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) with Uganda and Tanzania next year, and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027. These tournaments bring added pressure to the elections, as the incoming administration will be expected to steer Kenya’s football landscape through these crucial events.