NAIROBI, Kenya — A major leadership crisis has erupted at Football Kenya Federation (FKF) after the National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to have its president, Hussein Rashid Mohammed, step aside over alleged financial impropriety and governance breaches.
In resolutions dated April 24, 2026, a majority of NEC members directed that Hussein, alongside nominated NEC member Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim and Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru, vacate their positions temporarily to allow for investigations.
The committee cited allegations including misappropriation of public funds, non-compliance with procurement laws, and conflict of interest, with claims that approximately Sh42 million may have been lost from CHAN-related accounts.
In a decisive move, the NEC further ordered the immediate freezing of all FKF bank accounts linked to the federation or where the president is a signatory, pending further directives.
The resolutions invoke provisions of the FKF Constitution, including Article 39 and Article 87, which empower the NEC to ensure compliance and take action in exceptional circumstances under the doctrine of necessity.
Following the directive, FKF Deputy President Macdonald Mariga Wanyama has been appointed to act as federation president with immediate effect, pending the outcome of investigations and a planned forensic audit.
The NEC also instructed that an urgent meeting be convened under Mariga’s leadership to address the unfolding situation and stabilise the federation’s operations.
In addition, the committee called on key stakeholders—including Confederation of African Football (CAF), FIFA, and the Ministry of Sports—to appoint an independent forensic auditor to examine all financial transactions and governance practices within FKF.
“All existing contracts entered into by FKF will be reviewed,” the resolution states, signalling a broader audit of the federation’s operations.
The NEC justified its actions as necessary to “restore public confidence” in Kenyan football and safeguard evidence amid ongoing and anticipated investigations.
The move comes against the backdrop of longstanding governance concerns within FKF, a public body that receives taxpayer funding and is therefore subject to laws such as the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, and the Public Finance Management Act.
