NAIROBI, Kenya, October 24 – Former Harambee Stars midfielder Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino believes he is the best-placed man to succeed Nick Mwendwa as the next president of Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

The United States-based former footballer said his longstanding experience as a player, coach and administrator will stand him in good stead as he seeks to turn around the fortunes of the sport in the country. “I’ve been in this business for many years…I have the experience and the competence. I have been in football and I have done the things that are needed for the federation. I think if you have the experience and you have played the game before, you have a big advantage compared to someone who have never played before…and I have both,” Owino said. The Pumwani-born footballer further said his decision to go for the top job in Kenyan football is motivated by the love of the game, which has taken him to many places — most crucially — the United States where he went on a scholarship in 1982. “I am a beneficiary of football…I have seen what it can do and the opportunities it offers. It is football that enabled me to travel worldwide so I know that it can change lives. My vision for the sport in this country is to make it an example of the possibilities in Kenya when everything is done right,” Owino, who started his football career at Umeme FC, explained. The former Luo Union and Gor Mahia midfielder was speaking Tuesday at the Panari Sky Centre where he formally launched his bid to be the next supremo at Kandanda House. On his big day, Owino — nicknamed after former Argentine midfield wizard Mario Kempes — was accompanied by legends of the sport including John ‘Six Million Dollar Man’ Ogolla, Bob Oyugi, Sammy Shollei, Laban Jobita, Elly Adero and former Harambee Stars tactician Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee. Owino admitted his decision to run was also influenced by these legends who he said feel he possesses the anecdote to cure Kenya’s ills as far as football is concerned. “They are people I played with during my career and talking to them, you realise that they have suffered a lot. Because of that, they feel there is no better opportunity to change the football landscape in the country,” he said. Core to his vision for Kenyan football include development of grassroots football, coaching education, youth development, infrastructure development, structuring and professionalisation of leagues as well as providing women footballers with equal opportunities to thrive. “There is mismanagement at all levels…it is there at the club level and even at the federation. We need to hold people accountable. At present, we do not have very many good players. We maybe have pockets of good players but we need to do more…we have a lot of work to do in terms of restructuring our leagues so that we have leagues starting from 10 year-olds to the 19-year-olds,” Owino explained. He added: “Women are asking for equal opportunities and not to be favoured over the men. We need to involve them at all levels of decision making because women usually have a unique perspective of things compared to the men.” Throwing his hat in the ring is expected to trigger an avalanche of launches as other potential contestants announce their stab at the FKF presidency.