Five Agencies Launch Corruption Probe Into FKF Crisis

By Staff Writer

At least five bodies have since commenced investigations into the matter, as Football Kenya Federation finds itself in the grip of its most serious governance crisis in recent memory, following the suspension of President Hussein Mohammed over alleged financial impropriety.

The Football Kenya Federation National Executive Committee passed a resolution on April 24, 2026, directing Mohammed to step aside alongside Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru and nominated NEC member Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim, pending the outcome of a comprehensive forensic audit.

Nine of the federation’s 14 NEC members signed the resolution, which also directed the immediate freezing of all FKF bank accounts linked to Mohammed in his official capacity, to preserve evidence and prevent interference with ongoing investigations.

The NEC cited concerns over governance, financial management, and compliance with public finance laws within the federation, which is registered under the Sports Act and is a beneficiary of public funds.

Former Harambee Stars midfielder McDonald Mariga was subsequently appointed Acting President, tasked with stabilising the federation and overseeing operations during the probe period.

In a statement issued the same day, Mariga confirmed his acceptance of the interim mandate and outlined steps to safeguard institutional continuity, including an urgent NEC meeting and a review of all existing contracts.

“We reaffirm our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, and call upon all stakeholders, partners, and the public to remain calm and support the ongoing process aimed at restoring trust and integrity in Kenyan football,” Mariga said.

At the centre of the allegations is a Ksh 42.4 million insurance payment linked to preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship, with investigators claiming the funds were directed to an unlicensed brokerage firm.

The firm, Riskwell Insurance Brokers Limited, is said to have received approximately USD 328,735 in brokerage fees, despite concerns it lacked licensing from the Insurance Regulatory Authority and was not listed under the Association of Insurance Brokers of Kenya at the time.

Under CAF regulations, host nations are required to obtain a minimum of $30 million in general civil liability insurance through licensed brokers, raising serious concerns about whether the tournament operated without valid legal protection.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Insurance Regulatory Authority, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, the Confederation of African Football, and FIFA have all commenced inquiries into the allegations.

Mariga’s statement urged those bodies to fast-track their processes to preserve public confidence and facilitate the swift restoration of integrity within the federation.

Hussein Mohammed, however, struck back with his own statement on April 25, categorically denying any wrongdoing and dismissing the allegations as a coordinated attack against his reform agenda.

Mohammed contested the legitimacy of the NEC meeting itself, stating that it was not convened in accordance with the FKF constitution and that any decisions arising from it were null and void.

The suspended president argued that the insurance cover for CHAN 2025 was procured by CAF under the Host Agreement and not by FKF, and that no federation funds were transferred to any insurance company in connection with the tournament.

He acknowledged the investigations but drew a firm distinction between engaging with legitimate authorities and responding to what he described as a sustained social media and press campaign against him.

“When you fight corruption, it fights back. I was clear that I shall not tolerate mediocrity and corruption at the federation,” Mohammed said, framing the crisis as blowback from his internal reform efforts.

Mohammed pointed to a series of achievements under his 15-month tenure as evidence of his commitment to the sport, including the Harambee Starlets’ qualification for WAFCON 2026 in Morocco, the lifting of FIFA’s restrictions on Kenya following fiscal reforms, and the country’s recognition at the CAF Awards.

The NEC also raised concerns that some executive members had been excluded from their duties in a manner contrary to the FKF constitution, a claim that adds a layer of internal dysfunction to the already troubled picture.

Mariga separately assured key commercial partners that the federation’s obligations would be honoured in full, specifically naming premier league sponsor SportPesa and broadcast partner Azam as entities whose contracts would remain intact during the transition.

The outcome of the probe is expected to have far-reaching implications for governance, accountability, and public confidence in Kenyan football, especially as the country prepares for major continental tournaments.

Kenya is currently co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania, under the PAMOJA bid, a project whose credibility observers say could be undermined if the federation’s governance crisis deepens.

The latest developments echo a long pattern of administrative turbulence in Kenyan football, with FKF having faced repeated accusations of mismanagement, leadership disputes, and government intervention over the years, often disrupting league operations and national team activities.