The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has claimed McDonald Mariga wanted to become president and had intentions of pushing him aside, raising questions about the alleged power struggle and internal disagreements surrounding the football leadership.
“Mariga wanted to be the president and had the intention of pushing me aside. I don’t regret what has happened to him,” Mohammed said.
According to FKF President, Mariga intentions went beyond simply seeking a leadership role, as he allegedly wanted to take over the presidency while pushing me out of the picture.
“He wanted to control the national teams, the leagues, management and even sponsorship. He wanted everything to revolve around him. I was elected president, and he was my deputy, so why would I allow that?” he said.
He further asserted that the ousted deputy travelled on all trips with the national teams and wanted to serve on every committee while demanding a salary plus.
“Mariga travelled on almost all trips with the national teams, some of which I even financed from my own pocket. He wanted to sit on every committee to serve his interests. Recently, he claimed he was not being paid a salary,” he added.
However, Mariga has dismissed his removal stating that he is still the duly elected Vice President and that the process was flawed as he and his co-accused were not given an opportunity to be heard while 32 delegates allied to him were locked out of the meeting.
“We reject the purported dismissal of the seven NEC members and shall not recognize resolutions arising from proceedings conducted in breach of the FKF Constitution,” Mariga said through a statement on Monday.
The claims could attract further attention, particularly as questions about leadership, accountability and internal unity continue to feature in discussions surrounding football administration.