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FKF leadership tensions flare ahead of NEC meeting

The Star · unknown author · 2026-09-10T03:47:30+00:00 · nguồn gốc

Seven Football Kenya Federation (FKF) National Executive Committee (NEC) members have opposed the agenda for today’s executive meeting, warning President Hussein Mohammed against turning the federation’s top decision-making organ into a “rubber-stamping” body. In a letter dated September 8 and addressed to Mohammed, the officials cited inadequate consultation, insufficient documentation and concerns over compliance with the FKF Constitution and court orders. They want several agenda items withdrawn or deferred until NEC members are given the information required to consider the proposals. “These responsibilities can't be discharged by treating the NEC as a rubber-stamp organ for proposals or decisions on which members have not been adequately briefed, consulted or afforded sufficient information and opportunity for consideration,” the members said. The officials also cautioned against approving proposals with significant financial, legal or reputational implications without proper scrutiny. “Members can't reasonably be expected to approve matters merely for the sake of approval, particularly where such decisions may carry significant institutional, financial, legal or reputational consequences,” they stated. At the centre of their concerns are proposed operational budgets of approximately Sh3.5 billion for 2026 and Sh4.5 billion for 2027. The seven members said the budgets warranted detailed documentation and greater transparency before they could be considered for approval. They also raised concerns over reported investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) into certain FKF financial accounts and transactions. “This is particularly important given that certain FKF financial accounts and transactions are reportedly subject to ongoing investigations by the EACC and the DCI, further underscoring the need for heightened caution in all financial decisions,” they said. The officials are also demanding an account of approximately USD 1 million (Sh130 million), reportedly provided by FIFA to help FKF clear its debts. “We are further aware that FIFA provided FKF with approximately USD 1 million (about KES 130 million) to support debt clearance,” they stated, calling for full disclosure on how the funds were utilised. Another contentious issue is the tenure of the federation’s Acting General Secretary/CEO, which is currently the subject of litigation at the High Court in Murang’a. The seven members warned that extending the official’s tenure while the case is pending could raise legal complications. “In these circumstances, proceeding with the proposed extension of his tenure raises serious sub judice, contempt of court and fait accompli concerns, and risks undermining the authority of the Court and prejudicing the pending proceedings,” they said. They also questioned how critical oversight committees were selected, saying NEC members had not been informed about the entity involved, the criteria used or the outcome of the process. “However, NEC members remain completely unaware of how the selection process was conducted, the independent and reputable entity engaged by the Federation, the criteria applied, and the outcome of the process,” the officials stated. Instead, they want Thursday’s meeting to tackle outstanding football and governance matters, including the national teams calendar, FKF Referees Policy and FKF leagues and competitions for the 2026/27 season. They are also pushing for full implementation of the Transition Ad Hoc Committee report, nominations to the Local Organising Committee for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and clarification of the mandate and status of FKF bank account signatories. The latest disagreement comes amid continuing divisions within the federation’s leadership. Earlier this year, nine NEC members led by Deputy President McDonald Mariga attempted to suspend Mohammed over alleged financial irregularities. FIFA rejected the move, citing procedural flaws and non-compliance with Article 41 of the FKF Constitution. The Sports Disputes Tribunal subsequently reinstated Mohammed as FKF president. The latest letter puts the NEC meeting under scrutiny, with the seven officials insisting that federation decisions must be transparent, lawful and consistent with the FKF Constitution, applicable laws and binding court orders.