Nairobi — Just when we thought a semblance of calm had returned to Kenya's soccer, total confusion rears its ugly head again.

We now have two groups claiming to be in charge of the soccer Premier League. Both groups have issued league fixtures, and both claim to represent the wishes of league clubs. And both are claiming legitimacy.

The Kenya Premier League Limited, officially recognised by the world soccer governing body, Fifa, claims the league kicked off two weeks ago, and several matches have already been played.

But a committee appointed by Sports minister Ochillo Ayacko last Tuesday, claims it was mandated to take over the running of the Premier League, and that all previous matches were merely friendly encounters.

Nobody seems to be in control at the Kenya Football Federation. KFF chairman Alfred Sambu has been deregistered by the Registrar of Societies at the instigation of the Government, and his name replaced by that of his deputy, Mr Mohammed Hatimy.

It is more depressing that the Government seems to be tacitly comfortable with the chaotic situation. Mr Ayacko has been actively supporting one faction against the other, going to the extent of claiming that the world qualifier between Tunisia and Kenya early this month was fixed.

Fifa has given the federation three months to sort out its problems, or risk being banned from international soccer. The Government, at the risk of being seen to be meddling in soccer affairs, gave an even shorter ultimatum - one month.

This chaotic situation will not benefit anybody, and it is high time the Government realised this. Issuing ultimatums and threatening to dissolve the federation will not help. Football fans want to see action on the pitches, irrespective of who draws the fixtures.

The chaos, apart from starving fans of action, also leaves players without a steady source of income. The Government must facilitate talks between the warring factions to ensure football returns to the pitches. The sooner the chaos is sorted out, the better it will be for everybody.