Football Kenya Federation's (FKF) deepening leadership wrangles threaten to overshadow Saturday's Special General Meeting (SGM) in Meru, where 91 delegates are expected to determine the future of the federation's divided National Executive Committee (NEC).
The November 7 meeting at Three Steers Hotel comes amid an escalating power struggle between FKF President Hussein Mohammed and his deputy McDonald Mariga, with delegates seeking accountability from the entire 14-member executive over the prolonged governance crisis.
The meeting is expected to deliberate on resolutions passed by nine NEC members on April 24, their implications for the federation's operations and the conduct of executive committee members.
Although the dispute initially centred on disciplinary proceedings against Mariga and six other NEC members, delegates have since called for the entire executive, including Mohammed, to be subjected to scrutiny and given an opportunity to respond to concerns raised against them.
The seven officials facing disciplinary action are Mariga, Nairobi representative Dan Shikanda, Central representative Robert Macharia, Women's representative Kerubo Momanyi, Upper Rift Valley representative Bernard Lagat, Coast representative Gabriel Mghendi and Nyanza representative Collins Kalee.
The SGM was initially requested by members of the FKF General Assembly on May 18, 2026, with the petition received by the federation's General Secretary on May 22. Members subsequently invoked Article 31(2) of the FKF Constitution to convene the meeting following continued disagreements within the federation.
The leadership dispute has divided the NEC into two opposing camps, with Mohammed and Mariga at the centre of the fallout. The latest changes in allegiance by Western representative Caleb Amwayi and Lower Rift representative Peter Kamau have left the two factions numerically even, with seven members each.
The divisions escalated after the Mariga-aligned faction passed resolutions seeking to suspend Mohammed, Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru and nominated NEC member Abdullahi Yusuf over alleged financial irregularities involving KSh42.48 million in insurance expenditure linked to the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The suspensions were challenged at the Sports Disputes Tribunal and the High Court, which issued orders stopping their implementation pending the determination of the cases. FIFA also found that the three officials had not been properly suspended.
The latest intervention by FIFA came on November 2, when the world football governing body wrote to FKF asking it to stop a separate NEC meeting Mariga had called for November 4 in Nairobi.
In its communication, FIFA questioned the validity of the request used to convene the meeting, noting that two of the original signatories had withdrawn their support. It said the May 26 request could no longer provide a valid procedural basis for convening the November meeting under Article 38 of the FKF Constitution.
Mohammed has also faced a separate disciplinary process after receiving a six-count show-cause notice from representatives of the FKF General Assembly over alleged governance failures, financial accountability, interference with league structures, irregular appointments and the handling of NEC minutes. The allegations have not been established, and he was required to submit a response by November 4.
Under Article 24(c) of the FKF Constitution, the General Assembly has the authority to elect, ratify and dismiss the president and other NEC members. Removing an official requires a two-thirds majority of delegates present, translating to at least 61 votes if all 91 expected delegates attend.
The Referees Association, Coaches Association and Homa Bay County will not be eligible to attend or vote because they have not conducted the required elections.
The outcome will also affect the federation's next scheduled business, with Mohammed having convened another NEC meeting for November 8 in Nairobi. If Saturday's delegates vote to remove members, the composition of the committee and its ability to secure a quorum could change.
The leadership crisis comes as Kenya prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania, raising further concerns about the stability of the country's football administration.
With FIFA, CAF and CECAFA having previously engaged in efforts to address the disagreements, Saturday's meeting now presents a critical test for FKF as delegates prepare to decide whether the divided executive can continue governing Kenyan football or face changes to its leadership.
