Power struggle rocks FKF as president pushes for CEO exit

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has intensified efforts to remove CEO Harold Ndege following consultative talks with Nyanza delegates held in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The meeting resolved that Ndege must tender his resignation by January 15, at the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, and failure to do so will result in his dismissal.

To avoid a potentially divisive removal process, a section of NEC members has been tasked with engaging the CEO and persuading him to step aside voluntarily.

The move signals mounting internal pressure and a decisive shift within the federation’s leadership. FKF has already mapped out a transition plan.

An interim CEO will be appointed immediately should Ndege exit, before launching a formal recruitment process for a substantive office holder.

As pressure mounted over his future, the FKF President formally issued a show-cause notice to Ndege amid reports of his imminent sacking.

The notice requires the CEO to explain, in writing, why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for what the President termed as sustained failures in leadership, accountability, and execution of his duties.

The letter was also shared with 13 key members of the federation’s National Executive Committee, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the institutional backing behind the move. Those copied include Vice President McDonald Mariga, Daniel Shikanda (Nairobi), Robert Macharia (Central), Caleb Amwayi (Western), Ahmedqadar Dabar (North Eastern Region), Gabriel Mghend (Coast) and Peter Kamau (Lower Rift Region). Others are Collins Kalee (Nyanza), Bernard Lagat (Upper Rift), Charles Njagi (Eastern), Violet Kerubo (Women's representative) and co-opted NEC members Abdalla Yusuf and Ken Rungu.

According to the letter, Ndege is required to respond to 21 issues raised against him after what FKF describes as failed internal attempts to resolve the concerns through consultation and engagement. One of the most serious accusations centres on Parliament.

Ndege is accused of failing to notify or consult the President regarding a Parliamentary summons dated October 28, which required Hussein Mohammed to appear before the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture.

The President reportedly only became aware of the summons weeks later, and by chance.

The CEO is further accused of facilitating submissions to Parliament and altering meeting dates without presidential approval, a move described as a grave governance failure when dealing with a constitutional organ of state.

The administration of national youth teams forms a major part of the charges. The appointment of the U17 technical bench is described as poorly planned, delayed, and rushed—compromising preparation and contributing to Kenya’s poor showing at the CECAFA U17 tournament in Ethiopia.

Similarly, preparations for the U15 national team’s CECAFA assignment in Uganda were marked by confusion. There is no clarity on who appointed the technical bench or under what authority. The team was branded with incorrect merchandise and suffered logistical failures that attracted negative publicity, with no satisfactory explanation or remedial action provided.

The show cause letter also accuses the CEO of mismanaging litigation in Nyamira and Homa Bay through delays, poor coordination, and lack of strategic oversight. Internally, Ndege is accused of chronic absenteeism from the Secretariat, routinely operating from home without authorisation and signing federation cheques from his residence.

The President views this as a breakdown of internal controls and a serious governance risk. Communication between the President and CEO is described as having collapsed entirely.

In meetings with NEC members, Ndege allegedly admitted poor communication, explaining that his personal assistant communicated with the President’s personal assistant.

A source close to the FKF President said the breakdown reflected deep frustration within the federation’s leadership.

The CEO is further accused of failing to provide leadership in leagues, competitions, and security. Several incidents of hooliganism during FKF league matches, Harambee Stars World Cup qualifiers, and CHAN fixtures are cited, with interventions largely coming from the President’s office.

Persistent operational challenges in the Eastern Zone Division One and Two leagues are also highlighted, disrupting competitions and eroding stakeholder confidence.

Strategic initiatives form another pillar of the accusations. Ndege is accused of failing to follow through on the FIFA Arena Project and the FKF–Royal Moroccan Football Federation's Memorandum of Understanding, both initiated by the President.

The letter also flags compliance risks arising from FIFAe Summit nominations allegedly made without due process.

Several names have emerged as possible interim replacements, including Maqulate Onyango, Luthers Mokua, Athanas Obala, and Wadau Premier League CEO Bob Collins Otieno.

Harold Ndege condemned the accusations in strong terms, terming them “highly unprofessional” and a disservice to the Federation, warning that such conduct risked undermining the institution’s credibility and public trust.

He insisted that the claims being circulated did not reflect the official position of the federation and suggested they were the work of individuals acting outside established communication channels.

According to Ndege, internal matters should be handled with discipline and respect for due process.

“Those responsible acted wrongly. I will issue an official statement later to address the matter,” he added, signalling that the federation would formally clarify its position in due course.