FKF to intensify club audits as push for professionalism gains steam

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chief Executive Officer Harold Ndege has sounded a clear warning to clubs that the days of cutting corners on coaching qualifications are numbered.

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Ndege revealed that the federation will carry out quarterly audits to ensure all Premier League and Super League clubs strictly adhere to licensing requirements ahead of the new season.

"We are in August, the league starts in September. By the end of November, FKF will go back and audit each club to ensure that the coach at the helm has the right papers to be there. If you say your coach has a CAF A qualification, we will be checking to ensure this is true,” he stated.

Club licensing, introduced in 2016, sets the minimum standards for sporting, infrastructure, administrative, legal, and financial aspects as mandated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

It is not a matter of choice but a prerequisite for clubs eyeing continental competitions.

Among the requirements are: a women’s and youth team, a clear ownership structure, financial transparency, and professional administration, including coaches with the appropriate badges.

Yet, the road to compliance has been bumpy. Many clubs, including some of Kenya’s top-flight outfits, have repeatedly run afoul of these regulations.

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Despite the challenges, Ndege insists that enforcing these rules is the only way to drag Kenyan football out of the shadows of amateurism.

"We need to professionalise Kenyan football; we need to professionalise Kenyan clubs. The only way to do that is by abiding by the rules. Moving forward, we will be doing quarterly audits on everything that has been presented to FKF by the different clubs,” said the former Tusker FC player.

However, he was quick to clarify that FKF’s role is not to play the “big bad wolf” but to guide clubs towards compliance.

“If you have any challenge, it is better that you raise it so that as a team we can work together and see how to help you.

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The responsibility of the federation is not only to enforce these rules but also to work with the clubs to ensure they conform,” Ndege added.

At present, only Kenya Police and Kenya Police Bullets have been officially certified as compliant with the licensing regulations.

The two sides will represent Kenya in next season’s CAF Champions League, men’s and women’s divisions respectively, serving as the standard bearers for what the federation hopes will become the norm rather than the exception.