US-based former Harambee Stars midfielder Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino has expressed his intention to replace the current President of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Nick Mwendwa, as the FKF prepares to conduct new elections in 2024.
Reports suggest that Mwendwa is likely to extend his contract until 2027, which has motivated Owino to challenge his leadership.
Owino, who made his debut for Harambee Stars in 1978 at the age of 18, is currently in Kenya with a group of former Harambee Stars players.
He aims to garner support and gain popularity for his bid to oust Mwendwa from the FKF presidency.
On Monday, Owino strongly criticized Mwendwa’s administration for failing to recognize the achievements of Gaspo Women, the second runners-up in the FKF-PL season.
In light of this, Owino pledged to personally reward the Kenya Women Premier League side with half a million shillings as prize money for their second-place finish in the league, which concluded over the weekend.
Gaspo Women, who finished behind league champions Vihiga Queens, did not receive any prize money from the FKF. Meanwhile, Vihiga Queens were rewarded with Sh 1 million by the FKF.
Speaking in Eldoret, Owino, commonly known as Kempes, assured Gaspo Women that they would receive the funds as soon as possible.
“Kenyans are used to empty promises and lies. This time, we are talking and doing what is expected. We will give you the money as soon as we can. If it is possible to give today or tomorrow, we will do it.” said Owino.
“When I heard about the issues about the women league runners-up that they are having and Mama Diouf (Charity Wangoma) made a plea, I decided to donate half a million shillings to the team. They are not going home empty-handed,” Owino continued.
Owino left Kenya in 1982 after receiving a scholarship to the United States.
He established a professional football team called Texas Lighting, which competed in the second division league—the second tier to the top USA Major League Soccer.
