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Victor Wanyama has voiced his support for a candidate in the upcoming FKF elections, advocating for professionalism in Kenyan football.
Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has made a bold statement regarding the upcoming Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential elections, set for December 7.
The midfielder, who currently plays for Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact, has come out to declare his support for one of the candidates vying for the top spot in Kenyan football governance.
Wanyama, 31, retired from international football in 2021, citing a desire to focus on his club career.
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However, despite stepping away from Harambee Stars, he has remained vocal about the state of football in the country and the changes he believes are necessary to uplift the sport.
In his latest comments, Wanyama made it clear that his decision to back a candidate in the upcoming FKF elections is tied to his belief that change is needed within the federation.
“I’m here to support the candidacy of Hussein Mohammed and McDonald Mariga,” Wanyama announced.
"As we all know, Mariga is a former professional football player. He has played at the highest level, winning so many accolades, Champions League, Serie A. As we all know, Mariga has had great exposure all over the years that he has played."
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Wanyama emphasized the importance of professionalism in Kenyan football, which has long been a point of contention for him.
"He [Mariga] will bring professionalism in Kenyan football. And also, he has shown great leadership on and off the pitch internationally and locally. So let’s all rally behind them and give them the support they need. Good luck," he added.
This is not the first time the former Tottenham Hotspur star has spoken out about Kenyan football governance.
After his retirement from the national team, Wanyama outlined specific conditions for a possible return to Harambee Stars, stressing that the team deserved better treatment and more professionalism from those in charge.
“I think the players deserve better treatment and more professionalism,” he said in an earlier interview with the BBC.
Wanyama’s call for a higher standard in the country’s football administration mirrors the frustrations many players and fans have had with the FKF in recent years, following allegations of mismanagement and underperformance at both the league and national team levels.
The FKF elections are shaping up to be a significant turning point for the future of Kenyan football.
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Apart from Mohammed and Mariga, other candidates vying for the presidency include former FKF Chairman Sam Nyamweya, former Kenyan Premier League CEO Jack Oguda, and former international Sammy Owino ‘Kempes,’ among others.
The FKF electoral board has confirmed that the final list of candidates for both county and national positions will be published on November 2, with the presidential vote scheduled for December 7.
Wanyama’s endorsement of a candidate signals his continued commitment to improving the state of football in the country, even though he is no longer involved on the pitch.
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His faith in Mariga’s ability to bring about change is rooted in their shared experience as former international players, as well as Mariga’s extensive career, which includes winning the UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan.
MacDonald Mariga’s journey from playing in local youth tournaments to reaching the heights of European football has resonated with many in the Kenyan football community.
His leadership qualities, both on and off the pitch, have been highlighted by Wanyama as key reasons for his endorsement.
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