The first player from East Africa to play in and win the UEFA Champions League McDonald Mariga has been appointed as the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) acting President following the suspension of the local soccer boss Hussein Mohammed.
Nine out of fourteen members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the federation have passed a formal resolution calling for top federation officials to step aside over the alleged Ksh 42 million Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) funds scandal and handing over the leadership mantle to Mariga who was Hussein’s deputy
The nine members signed the resolution directing FKF President Hussein Rashid Mohammed, NEC member Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim and Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru to vacate office temporarily to pave way for investigations into alleged financial impropriety and procurement breaches.
In the resolution, members stated, “With immediate effect, Mr Hussein Rashid Mohammed do step aside from his role and position as President of Football Kenya Federation.”
The same resolution also directed Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim to step aside from his role as a nominated NEC member, while Dennis Gicheru was asked to vacate his position as Acting General Secretary to allow investigations by relevant FKF, national and international bodies into alleged financial impropriety of public funds, resources and other statutory breaches.
According to the same document, FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga Wanyama is proposed to take over leadership in an acting capacity pending the completion of a forensic audit and independent investigations into the federation’s financial affairs.
“The Deputy President of Football Kenya Federation, Mr Macdonald Mariga Wanyama do take over the roles and responsibilities of
the Football Kenya Federation in an acting capacity with immediate effect pending completion of investigation and forensic audit into the affairs of Football Kenya Federation.”
The NEC members also resolved that all FKF bank accounts linked to signatories associated with the implicated officials be frozen immediately to protect public funds during the investigation period.
The resolution cites Article 40 of the FKF Constitution, stating that a written resolution supported by a majority of NEC members is legally valid and carries the same authority as decisions made in a formal sitting.
The meeting that led to the resolution was attended by nine members on Friday, while three members namely Charles Njagi, Ahmedqadar Mohammed Dabar and Kenneth Rungu did not attend.
Mariga who served as Kenya’s national football team Harambee Stars made history as the first Kenyan player to win the UEFA champions league, achieved this great feat while featuring for Inter Milan Fc under the guidance of Jose Mourinho.