Heavyweight Trounced in FKF Busia Branch Elections
Drama unfolded today when newcomer Eugene Okello Omudek alias Afobe10 upset the formbook, winning the Football Kenya Federation Busia Branch elections held today at Busia County Commissioner’s Conference Hall.
Okello, 29, was declared new chairman by officers from the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission ( IEBC) after outsmarting outgoing chairman Hillary Musundi by 17 votes to 14.
It was ullulations from ecastic fans of the incoming chairman who were in celebratory mood as Afobe10 was declared the winner.
” Although we lost three positions ( Youth Rep, treasurer and secretary General ) to the opposing camp, we are going to deliver since soccer unites,” he said.
Okello said their target is to have a team from the county voting at the national level in the next elections, urging the referees and matchcoms to strive to raise the standard of the game by putting things in order.
In a quick rejoinder, the outgoing chairman conceded defeat, wishing Okello the best of luck in discharging his mandate.
” I take this opportunity to congratulate the just elected FKF office. I urge all of us to cooperate with them for the growth of our football,” Musundi said, in statement, posted on social media.
Musundi had hoped to recapture the seat he last won in 2020 but the tide swung in his disfavour on the homestretch of the bruising campaign to see the youthful Okello who emerged 2019 top scorer in the branch league with 19 goals to his credit.
Eugene Okello#Afobe10’s running mate is former Mathare and AFC Leopards player and Teens of Hope FC coach Felix Oucho.
Former Branch CEO Kenneth Wafula was the secretary general, Lawrence Wafula Juma (treasurer), Charity Akinyi ( Women Rep), and Jared Onyango (Youth Rep).
Hillary Musundi led the other camp as chairperson. His running mate was former international Benard Onyango. Others were Victor Ochakala ( Secretary General), Opet FC patron Fidelis Opeto (treasurer), Josephine Agolla ( Women Rep) and Martin Buluma (Youth Rep).
Doreen Kinyi was declared the women Rep after an overwhelming victory with 22 votes compared to nine by outgoing Rep Josephine Agolla Oduori with one spoilt vote.
In the youth rep category, Martin Buluma, who was in the Musundi camp, was declared the winner after garnering 20 votes to retain the position he won in 2020.
Opet FC patron Fidelis Opeto, who was also in the Musundi camp, is the new treasurer after scooping 23 votes. He was followed in second place by Lawrence Wafula Juma with 9 votes.
The seat of Secretary General went to Musundi’s ally Victor Ochakala, who garnered 16 votes. He was followed closely by Kenneth Wafula Wanyama with 14 votes and Jackson Murunga with one vote. One stray ballot for women Rep was found in the Secretary General ballot box.
It was a sigh of relief to FKF last Tuesday after a Kitui court dismissed a petition filed to bar the federation from carrying on with its elections that was scheduled on November 9, 2024.
The petition was filed by Gordon Ogado before Justice Robert Limo, alleging that FKF is not rightfully mandated to carry on football affairs in the country hence the Kenya Football Association (KFA) should be allowed to man football affairs in Kenya.
Other petitioner’s grounds sited that the FKF county branches were not registered as stipulated in sports act 2013, yet KFA county branches were fully registered.
Giving his ruling, justice Limo stated that the court could not extend the conservatory orders to bar FKF proceeding with the elections, since the petition is not tenable before the court and lacked merit to substantiate the arguments presented in court hence dismissing it.
The third camp under the chairmanship of William Musumba failed to show up for the elections. The two-team camp had Victor Ngosia as the running mate.
The incoming Secretary General Victor Ochakala said he was happy to be elected new SG, adding that there is no difficulty time since they are one community.
” It was a win-win situation. Time to deliver is now and time to start fair competition,” Ochakala said.
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