Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed and vice president MacDonald Mariga/HANDOUT

The world football governing body, Fifa, has formally stepped into the escalating governance crisis at the Football Kenya Federation, transforming what began as an internal leadership dispute into an issue of international scrutiny.

In a letter dated April 26, Fifa confirmed it is working alongside the Confédération of Africain Football (CAF) to examine the circumstances surrounding the April 24 resolution that sought to temporarily remove FKF President Hussein Mohammed, NEC member Abdullahi Yusuf and acting secretary general Dennis Gicheru from office.

“Fifa, in coordination with CAF, is currently assessing this matter with a view to gaining a clear and accurate understanding,” the letter stated.

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Fifa requested full cooperation from FKF’s National Executive Committee, signaling that the process leading to the contested resolutions would be subjected to close review.

“We kindly request the cooperation of the FKF National Executive Committee in providing information and documentation,” Fifa said.

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The governing body underlined the seriousness of the matter, adding: “This matter is being treated with due seriousness and attention.”

FKF has been directed to submit the requested documents by May 1, 2026.

“We would appreciate receiving the requested documents by 1 May 2026,” Fifa instructed.

The intervention comes amid a widening rift within FKF over allegations tied to a KSh 42.4 million insurance deal linked to the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), now under investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Insurance Regulatory Authority.

Hussein has rejected the NEC’s actions, describing the meeting that triggered his removal as invalid.

“This meeting was unconstitutional, unlawful, and irregular,” he said.

He maintained that the session lacked proper authority, insisting: “I did not convene the meeting, nor was any valid request made.”

Hussein also denied financial wrongdoing, dismissing claims surrounding the insurance arrangement.

“FKF did not lose a single shilling in the alleged insurance deal,” he stated.

According to him, the cover was managed externally under CAF structures.

“The insurance was handled by CAF under the host agreement,” he said, adding: “No federation funds were lost.”

He further described the allegations as politically motivated, saying: “This is a smear campaign by individuals resisting reform.”

On the other side of the divide, Acting President Macdonald Mariga defended the NEC’s resolutions as necessary to protect the federation.

“We acted due to serious governance, financial, and constitutional concerns,” Mariga said.

He stressed that the move reflected collective leadership rather than personal interests.

“This decision was supported by the majority of NEC members,” he noted.

Mariga also welcomed international involvement, revealing that the federation had invited further scrutiny.

“We have invited Fifa and CAF to conduct a full forensic audit,” he said.

He framed the standoff as a battle for accountability and institutional credibility.

“We must restore integrity in our game,” Mariga added. "There must be accountability for every shilling.”