The Confederation of African Football (Caf) and the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) have expressed deep sorrow over the death of Kenyan football administrator Hussein Swaleh in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash on March 10, 2019. Swaleh, former Kenya Football Federation (KFF) secretary general, was among 32 Kenyan passengers who perished when the Boeing 737 crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa, killing 157 people total.
Swaleh had been serving as a Caf Match Commissioner for the 2018-2020 term and was returning to Kenya after overseeing a Caf Champions League match between Ismaily SC and TP Mazembe in Alexandria. His role in Kenyan football included administrative duties during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Caf President Ahmad Ahmad issued a statement mourning Swaleh, saying: "The African football family sends condolences to his family, relatives, and the KFF." Cecafa secretary general Nicholas Musonye echoed this, stating: "We mourn with all families in Kenya and globally, extending our sorrows to Swaleh's family." Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa tweeted: "Sad day for football. You were doing what you loved most. Fare thee well my chairman."
Other tributes came from Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama, who called Swaleh "a football official who is among those who perished," and SportPesa Premier League club Sofapaka, which expressed "deep sadness" over the loss of Swaleh and other Kenyans in the tragedy.
