By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Kenya, May 05, 2026 - A fresh governance dispute within Football Kenya Federation has escalated into the commercial space, after vice president McDonald Mariga formally wrote to the CEO of Safaricom seeking to stop the launch of Chapa Dimba na Safaricom Season 5.
The move has raised serious concerns about internal stability within FKF, particularly given the scale of investment and the importance of the grassroots tournament to Kenyan football development.
In his communication, Mariga questioned the legitimacy of the partnership, stating that any agreement entered into without the approval of the National Executive Committee (NEC) is invalid.
“Any agreement or partnership arrangement undertaken without the approval of the NEC is null, irregular, and contrary to the provisions of the FKF Constitution…”
This position reflects a deeper internal conflict within FKF leadership over decision-making authority and governance processes. By escalating the matter directly to Safaricom, the dispute has now moved beyond internal structures and into the public and commercial domain, a development that rarely bodes well for reate institutional credibility.
Chapa Dimba na Safaricom is one of the most impactful youth football initiatives in Kenya, widely recognized for identifying and nurturing young talent across the country.
Safaricom is understood to invest over KSh 400 million into the program, with approximately KSh 50 million allocated to FKF as part of the partnership structure. The tournament has previously produced players who have progressed to national youth teams and professional football pathways.
Given its scale and visibility, any disruption to the program could have far-reaching consequences:
- Loss of opportunities for young players
- Reputational damage to FKF
- Strained relations with sponsors
The letter to Safaricom is not an isolated move.
A day earlier, Mariga had also written to the head of the FKF Secretariat requesting full disclosure of all documents and records related to the Chapa Dimba tournament. This includes contracts, approvals, and correspondence tied to the partnership.
This suggests a broader attempt to challenge the procedural validity of the deal and establish whether due process was followed.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing legal proceedings.
Last week, the Sports Disputes Tribunal issued a temporary injunction restraining Mariga, Robert Macharia, and several others from implementing FKF NEC resolutions.
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The order remains in place until the mention date, May 5, 2026, effectively freezing certain decision-making processes within the federation.
This creates a complex scenario:
- Mariga is challenging decisions allegedly made without NEC approval
- At the same time, legal restrictions limit the implementation of NEC resolutions
The overlap of governance disputes and legal constraints has contributed to growing uncertainty within FKF operations.
What makes this situation particularly sensitive is the involvement of a major corporate partner. Sponsors like Safaricom typically seek:
- Stability in governance
- Clear contractual structures
- Minimal reputational risk
When internal disputes spill into public view, especially through direct communication with sponsors, it raises concerns about organizational reliability.
Boardroom conflicts reaching this level can:
- Undermine sponsor confidence
- Delay or disrupt project rollouts
- Impact future investment in sports development
With the SDT mention scheduled for today, the immediate future of both the NEC resolutions and the Chapa Dimba partnership may become clearer depending on legal outcomes.
Key questions remain:
- Was the partnership approved through the proper FKF structures?
- Will Safaricom proceed with the launch despite the dispute?
- Can FKF resolve internal divisions before long-term damage is done?
This situation highlights a recurring challenge in sports administration, the balance between governance, legality, and commercial partnerships.
Chapa Dimba is a national development platform. Any disruption affects not just administrators, but thousands of young players across Kenya.
For FKF, the priority now must be clarity, unity, and transparency. Because once internal conflicts begin to affect sponsors, the consequences extend far beyond the boardroom and into the future of the sport itself.