The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has been plunged into a fresh governance crisis as FIFA officially stepped in to question the legitimacy of a “palace coup” that saw top officials ousted last Friday.
In a direct letter addressed to the National Executive Committee (NEC) on Sunday, April 26, 2026, the world football governing body demanded full transparency regarding the resolution that suspended President Hussein Mohammed and installed former Inter Milan star McDonald Mariga as the acting boss.
The Catalyst: The KSh 42 Million Scandal
The leadership shake-up, which took place during a NEC meeting on April 24, 2026, was triggered by an investigative exposé. The reports alleged that KSh 42.4 million in brokerage fees, intended for CHAN 2024 insurance, was wired to a non-licensed entity.
While the “rebel” NEC members—led by Vice president Mariga—claim the move was necessary to “safeguard the integrity of Kenyan football,” the embattled Hussein Mohammed has dismissed the meeting as “unlawful and unconstitutional,” claiming the insurance deal was secured directly by CAF.
What FIFA Wants (The “Audit Trail”)
FIFA, in coordination with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is now assessing whether the FKF followed its own 2017 Constitution.
They have requested the following by the May 1, 2026 deadline:
Meeting Legality: Proof of how the April 24 meeting was convened (notices and requests).
Quorum & Voting: Official attendance records and a detailed breakdown of how each member voted.
Due Process: Concrete evidence that Hussein Mohammed, Acting CEO Dennis Gicheru, and Abdullahi Yusuf were given a fair hearing before being suspended.
The Paper Trail: All documents, reports, and formal proposals used to justify the “step aside” order.
Who Voted for “Change”?
The resolution was reportedly passed by 9 out of 14 NEC members. Key figures supporting Mariga’s takeover include:
Dan Shikanda (Nairobi)
Kenneth Macharia (Central)
Violet Kerubo (Women’s Representative)
Gabriel Mghendi (Coast)
”Necessary steps shall be taken to preserve evidence, including the freezing of relevant accounts and a review of all existing contracts,” Mariga stated shortly after the resolution.
What’s at Stake?
The intervention by FIFA is a double-edged sword. If the FKF fail to prove that the ouster followed strict legal procedures:
Non-Recognition: FIFA may refuse to acknowledge Mariga as the acting head.
Sanctions: Kenya risks a suspension from international football if the move is deemed “undue third-party interference” or a violation of governance statutes.
Normalization Committee: Zurich could appoint an independent team to run Kenyan football until fresh, undisputed elections are held.
The Clock is Ticking: With the May 1 deadline looming, the “Mariga-led” faction must now prove that their cleanup mission wasn’t a constitutional foul.
