By RODGERS OMONDI
The crisis in Busia women’s football has deepened after owners and representatives of 19 women’s teams accused the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Busia branch of undermining league operations, player registration, and the overall development of the sport in the county.
Speaking after a meeting of representatives and owners from 19 women’s teams, led by Osha FC patron Thomas Eroni, stakeholders claimed that several clubs have been unable to register players on the FIFA Connect system, despite being fully affiliated with Zones A, B, and C.
Eroni stated that the branch leadership failed to assign system roles to key club officials on the FIFA Connect platform, while also delaying player approvals and the issuance of player tags.
“The branch chairman has failed to assign roles to some club officials in FIFA Connect to enable them to register players, despite being fully affiliated to Zones A, B, and C.
He has also failed to provide player tags and approve players of some clubs in the portal,” Eroni said.
He further accused the branch executive of unprocedurally creating a new zone, Zone D, without consulting existing clubs.
“Midway through this season, another zone, purported to be Zone D, was formed and provided with all the necessary requirements without our knowledge. We were told that we do not use the series format in our leagues, yet the same format is being used in Zone D,” he added.
Ultimatums
The stakeholders have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FKF branch to address their concerns, threatening to withdraw their teams from the leagues and seek compensation for incurred expenses if the leadership fails to act.
Additionally, they demanded accountability for club funds and urged that the administration of women’s football be handed over to the FKF women’s representative.
“We demand that the county treasurer account for the funds and confirm whether teams in Zone D have complied with requirements by paying the necessary affiliation fees. We are also demanding a meeting with the executive within seven days to chart the way forward for women’s football in the county,” Eroni said.
Matayos Sub-county FKF Women’s Representative Jane Juma highlighted the chronic challenges faced locally due to a lack of county-level support.
“This is the only sub-county that has had a women’s league since last year in the entire county. I have tried to seek support for the league from the county FKF chairman, but it has been in vain. Last season, we operated without any support, including match balls, which we had to source from well-wishers,” Juma said.
She noted that several teams have already folded due to financial and operational strains.
“I was informed that 400 balls were brought into the county to support sports, but we never received even a single ball. We are struggling, and many teams have dropped out. Currently, we have only four active teams in the Matayos Sub-County Women’s League,” she explained.
Busia County FKF Women’s Representative Doreen Akinyi echoed these sentiments, accusing the branch chairman of interfering with the agreed-upon league structure and neglecting system updates.
Mixed communication
“We agreed to play our football in series mode, but later the chairman informed me that the league should not be played in that format, despite the executive having agreed on it. He also agreed to update the teams in the system but later failed to do so,” Akinyi said.
Akinyi warned that persistent mismanagement threatens grassroots talent development.
“If we cannot nurture grassroots football, it means we are killing the vast talent at this level. We need to ensure these leagues are running so that we can expose these talents. This county has produced great women footballers who have represented the country at the international level, including Anne Arusi, who has played for the national team,” she said.
In response, Busia FKF Branch Chairman Okello denied the allegations, attributing the dispute to individuals attempting to exploit the sport for political gain.
“We have no problem with anyone supporting women’s football, but football in Busia County must not be used as a vehicle for political mobilisation or partisan interests. We will not politicise football, and anyone associating themselves with such activities should not drag the Federation into them,” Okello countered.
He warned that individuals breaking FKF regulations would face disciplinary measures.
“We have a responsibility to protect our teams, our players, and the integrity of football in Busia County. Any individual found deliberately frustrating teams, interfering with official competitions, bypassing established structures, or undermining Federation programmes will face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Federation’s rules and procedures,” he stated.
