FKF boss Nyamweya arrested over Harambee Stars’ shambolic trip
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya was arrested by Flying Squad officers on Monday and taken to the Nairobi CID offices for grilling.
The officers went to Mr Nyamweya’s Karen residence but were repulsed by rowdy supporters.
He was eventually arrested as he left his residence and taken for grilling at the County Criminal Investigations office.
Sources say the FKF boss was arrested in the wake of public outcry over the mishandled Harambee Stars’ trip to Cape Verde.
It has emerged that the government had given the football federation substantial funds, estimated to be tens of millions, in advance to pay players allowances and to organize the for team’s trip to Cape Verde.
Senior government officials were therefore shocked when media reports disclosed of a boycott by players over unpaid training allowances as well as the embarrassing delay of the team’s departure to the west African country.
MINISTRY TO BLAME
The FKF President maintains that he is innocent, saying that the sports ministry is to blame for the delay.
He said he had written at least four letters to the ministry stressing the need for the allocation and release of funds for the team.
Police now plans to interrogate ministry officials following Mr Nyamweya’s allegations.
The Central Bank of Kenya is also set to confirm the actual dates that the funds were transferred.
Owners of a chattered plane that was to take the team to Cape Verde delayed the trip by eight hours, insisting on full payment. The plane eventually left for Praia, Cape Verde, at about 8 pm on Monday.
The team was expected to arrive in the West African country this afternoon after a refuel stop at Kano, Nigeria.
The team will play Cape Verde Tuesday night at 10 p.m.