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FKF power plays intensify as Mariga responds to FIFA and Hussein declares control
26th April, 2026 07:08 PM
The turmoil and wrangles within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) escalated on Sunday, April 26, 2026, as suspended President Hussein Mohammed insisted he remains legally in office.
This follows a move by a faction led by his deputy, McDonald Mariga, and pro-NEC (National Executive Committee) members to uphold his suspension.
Mariga reassures FIFA
On Sunday, just a day after accepting the role of acting president, Mariga issued a formal correspondence to FIFA. The statement aimed to reassure the world governing body that the FKF would comply with directives regarding the procedure used to suspend Hussein.
“The Football Kenya Federation acknowledges receipt of the communication from FIFA, issued in coordination with CAF, regarding the current situation within the Federation,” the statement read.
“The requests made by FIFA are procedural, standard, and fully aligned with governance best practices. We confirm that all documentation is being compiled and will be submitted by the May 1, 2026, deadline.”
Mariga defended the suspension as a “precautionary administrative measure” intended to safeguard the federation’s integrity while investigations into Hussein and two other officials continue. He emphasized that the affected officials would be granted the right to be heard in accordance with the FKF Statutes and the Constitution of Kenya.
Hussein decries ‘coup’
Simultaneously, Hussein Mohammed moved to defy the suspension. Following a high-stakes meeting in Nairobi with FKF Congress members—including representatives from all 48 branches and select NEC members—Hussein described the move to oust him as an illegal takeover.
In a strongly worded statement on his X (formerly Twitter) page, Hussein labelled the faction’s actions an ‘attempted coup.’
“We held a successful engagement with FKF Congress members and all 48 branch representatives to address the attempted coup by a faction within the NEC,” Hussein stated.
“The message was clear: there is only one Football Kenya Federation and one duly elected FKF President.”
A federation divided
Hussein dismissed the Saturday resolutions that installed Mariga as acting president, claiming the grassroots leadership remains loyal to his presidency.
As both sides dig in, the federation’s future now hinges on FIFA’s review of the documentation due this Friday.
Already the world governing bodyhas written to Kenya seeking answers to the ongoings at the Kandanda House after Mohammed’s shocking suspension.
