RARIEDA: Eliud Owalo, Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Performance and Delivery Management in the Executive Office of the President, emphasized the need for better governance in soccer during a local event where he provided uniforms to two football clubs. Owalo highlighted that the forthcoming Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections are crucial to addressing the governance issues that currently plague soccer standards in the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, Owalo, who previously served as the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, spoke passionately about the state of soccer in Kenya during his visit to Rarieda constituency. He presented football kits to Dero and Siger football clubs and expressed his concerns about the negative impact of poor governance on the sport’s development. “As we think of how we can uplift the soccer standards in this country, we must also fix the governance,” Owalo stated, stressing the importance of electing competent leaders in the
upcoming FKF elections.
Owalo warned that bad governance deters private sector investment and hinders the growth of football in Kenya. He was accompanied by football legends from Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia FC, including John Bobby Ogola, Goro Oronge, Tobias Ochola, “Jua Kali”, Peter Dawo, and George Onyango, “Fundi”. These veterans supported Owalo’s call for a governance overhaul and urged young players to remain disciplined and committed to their sport.
The event also served as a platform for former national players Tobias Ocholla and John Bobby Ogola to advise young athletes about the importance of discipline in their careers, highlighting it as essential for maximizing their potential in football.