Barry Otieno unveils new blueprint for FKF Premier League clubs amid heated presidential race

Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Barry Otieno has set the stage for a transformative campaign as he eyes the FKF Presidency in the highly anticipated 2024 elections.

In a strategic move to rally support and present his ambitious blueprint for the future of Kenyan football, Otieno held a consultative meeting today with officials from ten FKF Premier League (FKF PL) clubs.

The meeting, held in Nairobi, is part of Otieno’s ongoing effort to connect with key stakeholders as he champions his campaign agenda titled Beyond the Pitch.

The agenda, aimed at reshaping the Kenyan football landscape, centers around four critical pillars that promise to revolutionize both the governance and development of the sport in the country.

Speaking passionately about his vision, Otieno emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration, with a key focus on club involvement in the professionalization and management of FKF leagues and cup competitions.

"Our team believes in the immense potential of Kenyan football. With your support, we can transform this potential into reality. Together, we can build a Federation that not only wins on the pitch but also excels in governance, development, and administration," he said.

The Beyond the Pitch manifesto outlines four main pillars: the enhanced involvement of clubs in FKF competitions, strengthening FKF's governance structures, investing in capacity building for football administrators, and creating clear development pathways for young talents.

Otieno stressed the need for better engagement with clubs in the decision-making processes that affect the FKF Premier League and other competitions, recognizing that clubs are the backbone of Kenyan football.

In addition to better governance, Otieno’s plan aims to empower FKF’s branches, committees, and judicial bodies to ensure greater transparency and accountability.

He also laid out plans to boost capacity building for football administrators, particularly in the areas of commercialization, communication, marketing, legal aspects, and strategic planning, to help the sport grow financially and professionally.

Perhaps most notably, Otieno’s vision includes a major focus on youth development, which he sees as key to the long-term success of Kenyan football.

By creating clear pathways for boys and girls to reach their full potential, Otieno believes that Kenya can cultivate a new generation of football stars, both locally and internationally.

Otieno's engagement with the FKF Premier League clubs is only the beginning of his broader outreach strategy.

He has already planned additional consultative meetings with clubs from the National Super League, Division One League, and the Women’s Premier and National Super Leagues, as well as discussions with FKF county branches.

The feedback from these sessions, he said, will help fine-tune his campaign and ensure that his vision is aligned with the needs of stakeholders at all levels of the game.

Otieno faces stiff competition from a field of notable candidates, including former Kenyan Premier League CEO Jack Oguda, Extreme Sports CEO Hussein Mohammed and Gor Mahia Secretary General Sam Ochola, among others.

However, with his comprehensive plan and strong backing from FKF Premier League clubs, Otieno is positioning himself as a frontrunner to lead a new era of football in Kenya.