By John Nene BBC Sport, Nairobi

Some of the rebel teams have as much support at the national team

The clubs cited alleged mismanagement of funds by the Kenya Football Federation as their reason for pulling out of the national league.

The teams, who met in Nairobi on Saturday, have now set up their own independent league.

But their actions have now prompted the KFF to ban them from returning to the federation's national league competition.

Acting secretary-general Allan Chenane said the teams would be replaced by other clubs and the league would continue as usual.

He made it clear that the federation was in charge of running football in Kenya and would not succumb to the demands of a few individuals.

"We held an emergency meeting today (Monday) as per the constitution and decided to replace the clubs which have boycotted our league," he said.

"We're going ahead. It's like a woman who runs away from her husband but that does not mean the end of life. Life continues.''

The rebel group has accused the KFF of failing to produce audited reports which the teams say is due to misappropriation of funds.

But Chenane discounted the allegations, saying that audited accounts were released for the 200/2001 season.

Resolute

Bob Munro, who is the spokesman of the rebel clubs operating under a group known as Inter Club Consultative Group (ICCG), said they would not change their stance.

"If they've (KFF) decided to replace us with other teams that's fine. It's the right of the KFF to do so and we'll go ahead with our league,'' a defiant Munro said.

Munro said his group would start their own league next month, irrespective of whether it was recognised by Caf, or the world body Fifa.

Among the top clubs to take part in the new league are AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, both reputed to have the biggest following in Kenya.

Others include league champions Nzoia, Mumias Sugar, Kenya Pipeline, Tusker, Mathare United, Utalii, Sher Agencies and Thika United.