SOCCER:Raila says one Kenya team will fly to Namibia

Oneword · 25th May 2008, 10:36 AM

Kenya will participate in the 2010 World Cup campaign, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Saturday.

Raila made the assurance Saturday after separately meeting the Kenya Football Federation officials, headed by Sam Nyamweya and the group led by Mohammed Hatimy, in an effort to solve the football turmoil currently gripping the country.

“Because of the gravity and urgency of the situation, a solution must be found in order for our boys to participate. I can assure you there will be a Kenyan team in Namibia,” Raila said at a press conference at his Treasury office.

Kenya are scheduled to kick off their 2010 campaign against Namibia on May 31 in Windhoek, but the fixture looks doubtful following a Fifa ultimatum on the country.

The world soccer governing body gave Kenya a 72-hour deadline that expired on Wednesday for the Registrar of Society to register the KFF leadership that Fifa recognizes.

Fifa’s reaction was triggered by a High Court ruling on May 16 that recognized the group led by Sam Nyamweya as the bona fide officials of the KFF.

The court, in the same ruling, barred the Hatimy group, that has the recognition of Fifa, from passing themselves as KFF officials.

The situation has led to confusion in Harambee Stars’ preparations for the qualifiers with two sets of coaches and squads named separately by the two groups.

“I have read the riot act to the two groups that we must find a solution to this problem without being seen to be interfering.

"We are not interfering as a government as Fifa rules to not allow the government to interfere. We are merely facilitating,” Raila said.

The meetings were also attended by Sports Minister Hellen Sambili, her permanent secretary Kinuthia Murugu and the Solicitor General Wanjuki Muchemi.

Nyamweya and members of his executive attended the press conference.

SundayNation