FKF rift deepens as Hussein alleges “coup plot” amid Mariga fallout

FKF President, Hussein Mohammed/ HANDOUT 

A deepening leadership crisis at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) spilt further into public view on Tuesday after President Hussein Mohammed accused his deputy, McDonald Mariga, of failing to alert him to what he described as an attempted “coup” by members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) while he was out of the country.

“There were attempts at a coup while I was in Uganda, and the vice president (McDonald Mariga) knew about it but did not inform me,” Hussein said, sharpening tensions within a federation already split over authority and legitimacy.

The developments unfolded before the National Assembly Departmental Committee for Sports, Culture and Tourism, where FKF leadership appeared in a tense session chaired by Hon. Dan Wanyama.

The crisis dates back to April when nine NEC members moved to suspend Hussein, Acting CEO Dennis Gicheru, and nominated NEC member Yusuf Abdalla over alleged governance failures linked to the Sh42.4 million CHAN insurance arrangement.

The Sports Disputes Tribunal halted the suspensions and reinstated Hussein pending a full hearing, leaving FKF operating under rival centres of power — one aligned to the presidency and another to NEC members led by Mariga.

The NEC defended its position before Parliament, maintaining it was acting within its mandate. “The National Executive Committee appears before this House in its rightful capacity as the duly constituted governing authority of FKF,” said NEC member Kerubo Momanyi.

Momanyi warned that the standoff had escalated beyond sport. “These matters are of significant national importance, particularly in light of Kenya’s preparedness to host AFCON 2027,” she said, adding that concerns centred on the conduct of the FKF president.

Hussein, under scrutiny over governance and financial management, defended his administration and reaffirmed the federation’s position. “FKF reaffirms its commitment to transparency, integrity, and good governance as we execute our mandate to develop and advance Kenyan football at all levels,” he said. 

“There is no doubt that Kenyan football has been on the rise in the last year, and we shall continue to build on that success.”

At the heart of the dispute is the CHAN insurance deal, with the NEC questioning procurement processes while the presidency insists the matter has been misrepresented. Hussein also used the session to outline progress on AFCON 2027 preparations.

"The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is confirmed to run from 19th June 2027 to 17th July 2027,” he said. “Both Talanta Stadium and Kasarani Stadium are progressing on schedule… Kenya is ready. Our infrastructure is on track, and our planning is fully integrated with our co-hosts Uganda and Tanzania.

”Despite those assurances, FKF remains engulfed in one of its most serious governance crises in recent years, marked by internal divisions, legal battles, and competing claims of authority.