By Patrick Chiriba
Kenyan football has received a reprieve after FIFA lifted the suspension imposed on the country early this year.
The world football governing body confirmed the ban lift in a letter addressed to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) CEO, Barry Otieno.
FIFA said the decision to lift the ban was arrived at following the reinstatement of FKF Executive Committee by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.
“We would like to inform you that the situation of the FKF was submitted to the Bureau of FIFA Council for consideration and decision on 25 November,” read part of the letter.
“In view of the circumstances, the Bureau of the council decided on 25 November 2022, to lift the suspension of the FKF with immediate effect,” said FIFA Secretary-General Fatma Samoura in the letter.
Samoura added that a FIFA-CAF mission team would visit Kenya to define the next steps for FKF and meet the new Sports CS.
Kenya was banned in February this year after the sports ministry disbanded the FKF over allegations of funds misappropriation.
The disbandment of FKF saw the arrest and arraignment of its president Nick Mwendwa.
The ban meant that Kenya was barred from participating in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, while Harambee Starlets failed to play in World Cup qualifiers against Uganda.