FKF Development Director Francis Kimanzi has opened the lid on why the body allows coaches without the CAF A coaching licence to lead Premier League clubs. As required by CAF and the regulations of Kenya’s top tier, individuals who serve as head coaches for FKFPL clubs need at least a CAF A coaching licence or equivalent.
While the rule has been in full force since 2024, its enforcement largely faded out last season. Speaking to the press after a CAF A refresher course, Kimanzi was asked to explain the change in rules and regulations.“Under the CAF Convention and Club Licensing, it is a requirement for top-flight coaches to have CAF A. However, FAs have different approaches to achieving this according to their needs and situations.
You have to look at what you have before enforcing. We lacked the policy to enforce it, but now we have it in place, having been ratified by NEC,” said Kimanzi.Former NSL MVP details plan to secure regular game time at Gor Mahia. Some of the FKFPL teams currently being led by coaches without a CAF A licence include Murang’a Seal, Ulinzi Stars, 3K FC, Mombasa United, Kenya Police FC and Migori Youth.According to the former Harambee Stars coach, a radical enforcement of the rules will be to the disadvantage of many clubs.“
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We do not want to ambush clubs; we need to have a grace period to implement, which also depends on our competition rules,” he added. The CAF A refresher course brought together top coaches in the country, including former Harambee Stars coaches Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno and Stanley Okumbi. Others were Gor Mahia’s Ghanaian coach Charles Akonnor and his AFC Leopards counterpart Fred Ambani, among others.