Central Region NEC member Robert Macharia defends FKF leadership change

Football legend McDonald Mariga has formally accepted his appointment as acting FKF president after the National Executive Committee moved to suspend Hussein Mohamed over alleged financial and governance breaches linked to CHAN preparations. In a statement issued by the federation, the NEC says it acted on findings pointing to procurement irregularities, alleged loss of public funds, and breaches of financial management laws, and confirms that investigations are now underway by the EACC, IRA, PPRA, CAF and FIFA. Mariga says he has assumed the role with immediate effect, adding that an urgent NEC meeting will be convened while a forensic audit proceeds. He also states that steps have been taken to preserve evidence, including freezing relevant accounts and reviewing existing contracts, while assuring partners such as SportPesa and Azam that all obligations will be honoured during the transition.

Former FKF president Sam Nyamweya has weighed in on the unfolding leadership crisis, describing the suspension of Hussein Mohamed as a critical moment for Kenyan football that requires urgent and decisive action. In a detailed statement issued on Saturday, Nyamweya warns that the standoff, if not resolved quickly, could derail Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 AFCON tournament, which the country is set to co-host with Uganda and Tanzania under the Pamoja bid. He calls for thorough but swift investigations, urging FKF, government authorities, FIFA and CAF to prioritise stability and due process, while also appealing to Hussein Mohamed to cooperate in ensuring a smooth and transparent transition. Nyamweya stresses that prolonged uncertainty within the federation risks undermining both national team readiness and key organisational plans tied to the continental tournament.

Hussein Mohamed did not take questions from journalists during the press briefing, limiting his appearance to a brief, tightly controlled statement before leaving the podium, a move that left several key issues raised by the NEC decision and the Ksh 42 million CHAN insurance dispute unaddressed.

Addressing the core of the dispute, Hussein Mohamed told the media on Saturday that the CHAN insurance cover was procured and managed by CAF under the host agreement, maintaining that FKF neither handled the transaction nor transferred any money, and insists that no funds were lost in the reported Ksh 42 million arrangement.

Hussein Mohamed argues the meeting did not meet the requirements under Article 38 of the FKF Constitution, stating he neither convened it nor received a formal request backed by the required threshold of NEC members, and rejects the decision to install McDonald Mariga as acting president as null and void.

Hussein Mohamed addresses press at FKF headquarters, rejects suspension Speaking at FKF Headquarters in Kasarani on Saturday, Hussein Mohamed insisted he remains the federation’s president, dismissing the Friday NEC meeting that suspended him and installed McDonald Mariga as acting president as unconstitutional and without legal basis.

Hussein Mohamed has issued a fresh statement challenging the legality of the purported FKF National Executive Committee meeting and saying he will address the media on Saturday morning.

• He says the April 24 meeting was not convened in accordance with the FKF Constitution and is therefore irregular, unlawful and unconstitutional.
• He cites Article 38, Clause 2, arguing that he did not convene any NEC meeting and did not receive a formal request to do so under the federation rules.
• He says any decisions arising from that meeting are null and void.
• He says he will address the media comprehensively on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the FKF headquarters starting at 9:00 AM EAT.

Hussein Mohamed has denied wrongdoing, describing the allegations around the disputed Ksh42.4 million insurance payment as malicious and aimed at damaging his reputation.

• Mohamed said the claims were part of a campaign against him.
• He argued that corruption was fighting back after he began what he described as a process of cleaning house.
• He said his reputation risked being ruined by the allegations.
• He insisted he would not allow his years of sacrifice, dedication and investment in sports development to be destroyed.

Once I started the process of cleaning house, it was inevitable that corruption would fight back.

The NEC called for the appointment of an independent forensic auditor to examine funds received by FKF from major stakeholders, including CAF, FIFA and Kenya’s Ministry of Sports.

• The audit is expected to review money received from the Confederation of African Football.
• It is also expected to examine funds received from FIFA.
• The Ministry of Sports is also listed among the sources of funds to be reviewed.
• The audit is linked to concerns over public funds, statutory breaches, procurement questions and CHAN-related accounts.
• The committee said the broader goal is to restore public confidence and protect the integrity of Kenyan football.