Six of the presidential candidates vying for the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) top seat have outlined their strategies to secure corporate sponsorship and make the Kenya Premier League (KPL) financially self-sustaining.
Their proposals and manifestos came during the second debate which focused on the urgent issue of funding for Kenyan football.
The debate was attended by former FKF CEO Barry Otieno, Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino, Extreme Sports CEO Hussein Mohamed, Gor Mahia Secretary General Sam Ocholla, Kakamega Homeboyz Chairman Cleophas Shimanyula and Tom Alila.
Absent from the debate were Doris Petra, the FKF presidential candidate from Nick Mwendwa’s camp, and Chris Amimo, who did not attend the forum.
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The candidates were asked to discuss how they would bridge the funding gap in Kenyan football, especially given the ongoing concerns over the current FKF leadership’s handling of sponsorship deals.
Tobias Ocholla, a former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars player opened the discussion by asking the candidates how they will address their sponsorship struggles.
Cleophas Shimanyula emphasized that transparency would be at the core of his leadership.
“In my government, there will be transparency. I will be different from the current federation because I will be open. I will ensure that I actively seek sponsors and make sure the funds are used properly,” he said.
Ocholla echoed Shimanyula’s views, adding, “The first thing I will do when I get into office is ensure the KPL is reconstituted, and they will be able to handle all the TV rights and sponsorships, so that everyone will know how the money in the sponsorship sector is being managed,” Ocholla said.
Barry suggested that effective marketing, hospitality, and advertising strategies are key to attracting sponsors. He stressed the importance of showcasing Kenya’s football potential to potential corporate partners.
Former Harambee Stars player Kempes pointed out that one of the biggest obstacles to securing sponsorship is a lack of trust in the federation.
“The issue of money is one of the biggest problems. It’s obvious to me that there is a trust deficit in the federation and an integrity deficit, which makes it hard for people to trust us with their money,” he said.
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Kempes emphasized that building a strong brand for Kenyan football is crucial in regaining corporate confidence.
“We do not have a brand that attracts sponsors. If you want to earn money, you have to build a brand that attracts sponsors,” he added.
Alila proposed revising the FKF constitution to improve governance as the primary solution to attracting sponsorship.
Mohmed raised a critical question saying, “Why did the sponsors take flight and run away? What happened to all the corporates that helped in the development of football in this country?”
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He suggested that corruption within the football sector had driven sponsors away as he promised to restore credibility and transparency in the federation.
“Sponsors want to see a return on their investment. I will ensure we bring corporate sponsors back on board by ensuring transparency and accountability,” he added.
FKF elections
The FKF presidential elections are scheduled for December 7.
However, there are concerns over the Electoral Board with some candidates questioning the suitability of Kandanda House as the host venue.
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