AFC Leopards are at the centre of a brewing controversy after declaring they will proceed with their elections on June 29, despite an official directive from the Sports Registrar calling for the cancellation of the polls. The club leadership, citing their constitution, insists the elections will go ahead as planned at the Stadion Hotel Ballroom, located at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
According to the club, the upcoming elections are being held in line with Article 10.3 of its constitution. This article stipulates that the election of office bearers must be conducted through a secret ballot at a Special General Meeting, scheduled 90 days after the Annual General Meeting in an election year. The purpose of the Special General Meeting is to elect new National Executive Committee members, specifically for the roles of chairman, secretary general, and treasurer.
The current chairman, Dan Shikanda, has maintained that all necessary procedures have been followed. The club has already constituted an Election Management Group (EMG), which has laid out a comprehensive roadmap and established timelines to guide the electoral process. This includes provisions for both the club members and aspirants, ensuring transparency and structure in the build-up to the elections.
However, the Sports Registrar has reportedly nullified these plans, arguing that the current executive committee’s term, led by Shikanda, is set to end in 2026. The elections, according to the Registrar, are premature and misaligned with the stipulated four-year term of the current leadership.
The move by the Registrar has sparked confusion and debate among fans and stakeholders. Many anticipated a leadership transition, especially after Shikanda was elected to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) National Executive Committee as Nairobi’s representative in late 2024. The Registrar’s cancellation was unexpected, given that preparations were already in advanced stages.
At the heart of the dispute is a clash over governance and interpretation of the club’s constitutional timelines. The Registrar contends that the club has not met the expected legal and procedural standards. Meanwhile, AFC Leopards remain defiant, holding that they are acting within their rights and according to their internal constitution.
As the situation unfolds, uncertainty surrounds the fate of the elections. It remains unclear whether the club will push ahead with the polls, risk legal consequences, or bow to the Registrar’s directive and wait until 2026 to hold elections.
