Nick Mwendwa is a Kenyan businessman and techpreneur who is the president of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Mwendwa took over from Sam Nyamweya after winning the federation’s elections in 2016.
Will assuming leadership at the federation, Mwendwa made huge promises towards building and developing the country’s footballing talent and facilities. He has often come under criticism for being part of the sport’s troubles in Kenya.
Background & Education
He was born Nicholas Mwendwa on December 29, 1979 in Makueni County.
Details of his education background are currently unavailable but he is a known Information Technology graduate.
Career
Mwendwa worked as a payment solutions manager at Uchumi supermarket after completing his diploma in IT.
He is known to be an expert in his craft and has proceeded to own multiple successful IT firms in the country.
Mwendwa has always been a passionate sportsman and has refereed numerous matches but on an unofficial capacity.
His interest and passion for sports, especially football saw him join the ranks of FKF early in his career. In 2011 he contested to become an National Executive Committee member at FKF but lost to Robert Asembo.
Mwendwa later worked under Nyamweya as the Transfer Matching System (TMS) manager at FKF for two years.
In 2016, he was elected president at FKF replacing Nyamweya.
Businesses
He is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Riverbank Slutions Ltd., an IT company he founded in 2009. It is a payment solutions company.
He is the founder and owner of Kenya Premier League club Kariobangi Sharks. He is known to have deep pockets and is considered an extremely generous person.
Family
Mwendwa is married and is a father of two. A boy and a girl.
Scandals
He has been at the center of numerous scandals since assuming reigns at the footballing federation.
In July 2020, former FKF Boss, Nyamweya called upon the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate Mwendwa over a secret bank account that has been used to loot footballing money.
He accused his successor of fraudulently operating a business bank account named and styled as Harambee Stars Management Board in one of the leading banks.
“Football Kenya Federation has the propensity for financial impropriety, malpractice and an insatiable greed for money which has become the new norm under Nick Mwendwa regime.
“Hardly has the Sh 244 million Afcon grant by the exchequer and the Sh135 million outside Broadcasting Van (OB) scandal resolved than another, major earth shaking scandal of monumental proportion been unearthed,” Nyamweya stated.
“Bearing in mind that the Harambee Stars Management Board was disbanded and has not been in existence for the last eight years begs the question as to which board is operating this bank account and it’s sources of funding.
“Surprisingly too this bank account is not declared in the FKF Financial statements begging the question as to who authorized the opening of this account and for what purpose,” he added.
On July 6, 2021, audtor general Nancy Gathungu questioned a Ksh11 million payment made to Mwendwa between April 25, 2019 and November 29, 2019 adding yet another scandal to the many that are yet to be resolved at FKF.
She also querried Ksh57 million paid to Harambee Stars players and technical staff. She stated that the payments were not supported by approved rates. This was reimbursement after the team had travelled to the African Cup of Nations.
“Bank statements and cash books were not presented for audit review to confirm amounts transferred to the bank for payments,” Gathungu stated.
She also flagged a further Ksh111.6 million that was approved for disbursement to cater for accommodation and team allowances.
Murder Allegations
In 2018, Mwendwa was on the spot for the death of a 74-year-old man hired by an auctioneering firm to attach some of the federation’s property.
He was accused of hitting Leonard Munyua Mungai with a club “rungu” at FKF offices at Kasarani’s FIFA Goal Project. Mungai had been hired by Moran Auctioneers to collect a Ksh4.8 million debt FKF owed Mirema Apartments Hotel.
He denied the charges, alleging that former FKF bosses were out to taint his reputation.
“I was not even there when the auctioneers came and I am surprised you are trying to link me to the matter,” he stated.
Mungai was rushed to Thika Road Health Services after the incident and later transferred to a hospital in Komarock estate and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He died on two days later.
