After 20 years at the helm of the Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA), Secretary General Nicholas Musonye has stepped down following in an Ordinary General Assembly in Kampala, Uganda.

Musonye had indicated he will be leaving his office but there were uncertainties about his decision, until the assembly in Bogolobi, Kampala confirmed his exit.

Announcing Musonye’s exit, Waria said CECAFA was honored to have a dedicated servant in the former sports journalist for the two decades.

“We are so grateful for his work and dedication to keep CECAFA moving even in the hardest times. We will honour him in due time and remember the departed who worked with him over the years,” said Karia.

On his part, Musonye said he will ensure smooth transition within the period the new office sets, as his duties will be handled a Director General, set to be appointed through competitive application.

“In the new set up, there will be no SG, but a Director General who will be picked from applicants interested in the job upon thorough vetting including by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). I will be around to help the new office settle in well, because this is an important role that cannot be handled haphazardly,” offered the veteran football administrator.

Musonye now wants to be the next Kakamega County Governor, and has underlined his CECAFA exit marks the start of his match to succeed Governor Wycliffe Oparaya in 2022.

“I leave CECAFA a very proud man, the only CAF zone able to run many competitions in year despite all the challenges. CECAFA was dead when I came in, we had to resurrect it. Now there are vibrant activities, and you have seen this year alone we had six competitions.

“I go to do the will of my people back at home, they have told me to go and apply my experience and managerial expertise in transforming their lives. I have a lot of football administration knowledge, which I will be available to share with the future generations in Africa and beyond. However, it’s time for the great people of Kakamega now,” said a firm Musonye.

He has however advised the incoming office that the biggest enemy of football in the region is sabotage by “backward minded federation leaders.”

“The times we endured difficult times in CECAFA, it was all about backward minded leaders in our federations. You know those people who personalized issues at the expense of football. I’m happy they are not there in our federations now. I f there is anything important for the moving forward of CECAFA is goodwill and stability from the member associations, which we are enjoying now,” underscored Musonye.

The General Assembly which was also attended by CAF and FIFA observers, announced the next CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup will be staged in Sudan.