Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed has been pushed out effectively Friday evening after a majority of National Executive Committee members resolved that he steps aside over the KSh42 million CHAN insurance scandal.
In a move that lays bare deep divisions within the federation, nine out of 14 NEC members held a meeting and agreed that Hussein, alongside NEC member Abdallah Yusuf and Acting CEO Dennis Gicheru, vacate office to pave way for investigations into the controversial insurance deal.
The decision, however, was not unanimous. Three members; Charles Njagi, Ahmedqadar Mohammed Dabar and Kenneth Rungu, did not attend the meeting, exposing fault lines at the top of Kenyan football leadership at a time the country is under pressure to deliver ahead of the African Nations Championship.
As the fallout gathered pace, Vice President McDonald Mariga emerged as the preferred figure to take charge in an interim capacity, placing him at the centre of a rapidly escalating governance crisis.
The scandal revolves around an alleged KSh42 million insurance cover linked to CHAN preparations, funds that have now triggered internal revolt and intensified scrutiny over financial management within FKF.
But Hussein has pushed back hard.
Breaking his silence on Thursday, he dismissed the allegations as a calculated attempt to undermine reforms he claims to have initiated within the federation.
“Once I started the process of cleaning house, it was inevitable that corruption would fight back. Through such a malicious campaign, a lifetime of sacrifice, dedication and investment to help develop our social fabric through sports can go up in smoke, just like that. Reputation ruined forever. I shall not allow it,” he said.
He further signalled that he is preparing a detailed response, framing the accusations as part of a wider, coordinated smear campaign.
“In this regard, I shall be issuing a comprehensive response to these heinous fabricated allegations and all other planned propaganda. We know all their plans,” he added.
The standoff now threatens to derail stability at FKF just months before Kenya co-hosts AFCON, a tournament seen as a major test of the country’s football administration and infrastructure readiness.
With factions hardening and leadership now in dispute, the federation risks plunging back into the kind of internal wrangles that have previously attracted the attention of global football bodies.
