Kenya: FKF’s Treatment of Media Reeks of Impunity

Nation Sport did a couple of investigative stories on this in 2019, and Fifa responded saying the matter was under investigation. Samoura was best placed to give an update. Her “unavailability” only means that Kenyans will have to wait longer to know where the van vanished.

The second question would be about an ongoing Achilles heel – Covid-19. Last year, CAF and Fifa released about Sh100 million ($1.5 million) to cushion federations against the effects of Covid-19.

However, to date, no club, player, coach, referee has ever received a penny from these funds. In countries like Uganda, clubs in the first and second division, and even women’s clubs, received monies from this kitty. Dear Fifa SG, is Fifa satisfied with the way those funds were used in Kenya?

Question three, no doubt, would have touched on the Sports Disputes Tribunal. Early last year, Fifa said it doesn’t recognise the SDT, which is a body created under Kenyan law. Does Fifa expect ordinary Kenyan sports stakeholders to approach Fifa for arbitration in the event of internal disputes? A clarification from Fifa SG is desperately needed.

Now, all we have of Samoura’s visit are short clips of her walking around and saying little of substance. This move is unsurprisingly consistent with FKF’s modus operandi, where journalists who dare to think with their heads and not their stomachs have been kicked out of press conferences, barred from covering live matches, vilified on social media, and even threatened with death.