Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) has urged football stakeholders in the country to end the feud concerning the electoral process.
In a press statement, KEFWA secretary General Jerry Santo said the players will be highly affected if world football governing body FIFA will ban the nation from competing at the international level.
“We are increasingly concerned by the possible effects the current electoral stalemate could have on our members. A FIFA ban will most definitely kill the careers and livelihoods of a vast majority of Kenyan players, none of whom is proxy to and/or privy to any of the parties vying for the top seat,” read the statement.
With Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) cancelling the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections for the second time, KEFWA said that they have and will continue to closely follow the stalemate emerging from the pending FKF elections.
“We recognize the challenges that come with football administration and at the same time acknowledge the role and efforts made by each and every office that has been in charge ever since FKF (previously the Football Association, Kenya Football Federation, and Football Kenya Limited) became a FIFA member.
With the association chaired by former Kenyan star player James Situma, Santo pointed out the effects the ban will have on players who 100% depend in playing football unlike other disciplines.
“The sad reality is that it is the players, the greatest stakeholders, who stand to suffer the most from the current electoral quagmire. We call upon all the warring parties to put their political interests and differences aside and spare a minute for the Kenyan player and the country at large,” said Santo.
He however urged the federations and warring parties to work with FIFA and the Ministry of Sports with a view to finding a common solution and to create a healthy environment for professional football.