By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Kenya, April 24, 2026 - Kenyan football was thrown into fresh turmoil on April 24, 2026, after members of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) National Executive Committee (NEC) passed sweeping resolutions that effectively removed key officials from office and installed interim leadership pending investigations.
The developments, captured in the official documents you shared, point to one of the most serious internal governance crises in recent FKF history, echoing past instability that has often disrupted football administration in the country.
According to the NEC resolution dated April 24, the committee cited serious breaches of the FKF constitution and Kenyan law as the basis for its action. Among the allegations listed in the document are:
- Financial impropriety
- Misappropriation of public funds, including claims of approximately KSh 42 million from CHAN-related accounts
- Violations of procurement laws under Kenya’s Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act
- Conflict of interest concerns
The NEC also stated that a majority of its members had been “systematically excluded and sidelined” from executing their roles, which it argued was unconstitutional and undermined governance within the federation.
These concerns align with long-standing governance challenges that have previously affected Kenyan football administration, including past government interventions over alleged financial mismanagement.
In a decisive move, the NEC resolved that several top officials step aside with immediate effect to allow for investigations. These include:
- FKF President Hussein Rashid Mohammed
- National Executive Committee member Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim
- Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru
The resolution emphasizes that the step-aside directive is temporary, intended to facilitate independent investigations by FKF, national, and international bodies without interference.
Notably, the move does not immediately dismiss the officials permanently but effectively strips them of operational authority during the probe.
New leadership: Mariga steps in
Following the removal of the top leadership, the NEC appointed Deputy President McDonald Mariga as acting FKF President.
Mariga, a former international footballer, is now tasked with stabilizing the federation and overseeing operations during the investigation period. His appointment signals a shift toward continuity within the existing leadership structure while attempting to restore confidence in the federation.
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The NEC further directed that:
- An urgent NEC meeting be convened under the acting president
- All FKF bank accounts linked to the outgoing leadership be frozen immediately
- An independent forensic audit be conducted into FKF’s financial affairs
The resolution leans heavily on provisions within the FKF constitution, particularly those empowering the NEC to act in extraordinary circumstances and ensure the federation operates within legal and ethical frameworks.
By invoking these provisions, the NEC justified its authority to take emergency action, framing the situation as one of “necessity” and protection of public interest.”
However, such drastic internal decisions could trigger broader consequences. Historically, governance disputes within FKF have attracted scrutiny from global football bodies like FIFA, especially when leadership changes occur outside standard electoral processes. Any perceived external interference or internal conflict could risk sanctions or further instability.
This latest development adds to a pattern of administrative turbulence in Kenyan football. Over the years, FKF has faced repeated accusations of mismanagement, leadership disputes, and government intervention, issues that have often disrupted league operations and national team activities.
The NEC, in its statement, acknowledged the urgency of restoring public confidence in the federation, emphasizing that the actions taken were aimed at protecting the integrity of Kenyan football and ensuring accountability.
The immediate focus now shifts to investigations and audits that will determine the validity of the allegations. The outcome will likely shape the future leadership of FKF and could lead to:
- Permanent removal or reinstatement of the affected officials
- Structural reforms within the federation
- Possible legal or regulatory action depending on findings
For now, the appointment of McDonald Mariga as acting president marks the beginning of a transitional phase, one that could either stabilize Kenyan football governance or deepen the crisis depending on how events unfold.
The events of April 24 represent a pivotal moment for FKF. What began as internal disagreements has escalated into a full-blown governance crisis involving financial allegations, leadership changes, and institutional credibility.
If handled transparently and decisively, this could be an opportunity to reset and rebuild trust in Kenyan football. If not, it risks becoming another chapter in a long history of instability at the top of the game.