McDonald Mariga: Acting FKF President Outlines Way Forward After Hussein Mohammed Suspension

In a swift turn of events, McDonald Mariga has officially assumed the role of Acting President of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

This transition follows a high-stakes resolution passed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) on April 24, 2026, which directed the sitting president, Hussein Mohammed, to step aside immediately to facilitate investigations into allegations of gross financial misconduct.

The decision to remove Hussein Mohammed stems from what the NEC describes as "serious governance, financial, and constitutional violations".

At the heart of the scandal is the alleged misappropriation of approximately KSh 42 million. These funds were reportedly linked to insurance and brokerage fees for the CHAN 2024 tournament, with investigations suggesting payments were wired to an unlicensed company.

In his first official statement as Acting President, Mariga emphasised the necessity of the NEC's intervention: "It came to the attention of the National Executive Committee that there were serious governance, financial, and constitutional violations, which informed and led to the resolution passed on 24th April 2026. Consequently, the NEC wishes to inform the public that decisive measures will be undertaken to safeguard the integrity of the Football Kenya Federation".

The fallout has not been limited to the presidency. Along with Hussein Mohammed, the NEC has also directed Acting CEO Dennis Gicheru and NEC member Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim to step aside.

McDonald Mariga confirmed that a multi-agency probe is already underway to uncover the extent of the "allegations of financial impropriety, loss of public funds, and breaches of procurement and financial management laws". Major international and local bodies have been invited to scrutinise the federation's books.

"We note that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Confederation of African Football (CAF), and FIFA have commenced investigations into these matters," Mariga noted.

To ensure that accountability is achieved, Mariga added: "We welcome these processes and respectfully urge the respective bodies to fast-track their inquiries to ensure timely accountability, preserve public confidence, and facilitate the swift restoration of integrity within Football Kenya Federation".

As part of his new mandate, McDonald Mariga has moved to secure the federation's assets. This includes the freezing of relevant bank accounts and a comprehensive review of all existing contracts to prevent further loss of funds or interference with evidence.

Despite the internal turmoil, the former Inter Milan star assured the footballing community that the federation remains functional. He specifically reached out to corporate sponsors to maintain stability.

Speaking during a press briefing on Saturday morning, April 25, Hussein Mohammed said that during his 15 months in charge of the Football Kenya Federation, his administration had made notable strides in improving the state of football in the country.

He highlighted key milestones such as the effective organisation of major international competitions, including CHAN 2024 and the FIFA Series, as well as efforts to strengthen and expand domestic leagues nationwide.

Hussein Mohammed added that these initiatives reflected the federation’s ongoing dedication to restoring credibility, enhancing standards, and positioning Kenyan football to compete more strongly on the global stage.

“FKF did not transfer or pay any money to any insurance company for CHAN competitions, and I can challenge anybody to provide evidence. Those reports are fictitious and outrightly malicious. There is nowhere FKF paid for insurance cover for CHAN, I want to reiterate,” he added.

“This was contracted purely by CAF. When you fight corruption, it shall fight back. I shall not tolerate mediocrity. I understand that there are plans to run a smear campaign against me and the federation in an attempt to collapse the institution and taint my reputation. Moving forward, I’m willing to cooperate with any investigating agencies.”

Meanwhile, Mariga is expected to convene an urgent NEC meeting shortly to chart the federation's course as the forensic audits begin.