Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed has defended the removal of his deputy, Harambee Stars legend McDonald Mariga. Mohammed claims Mariga wanted to take control of the federation and push him aside. He told the Daily Nation that he does not regret what happened.
Delegates voted Mariga out on Saturday at a Special General Meeting in Meru. Six other National Executive Committee (NEC) members were also expelled. According to Pulse Live Kenya, the meeting lasted only minutes before delegates voted overwhelmingly to remove them. Mariga arrived escorted by many Rapid Deployment Unit officers. This followed claims that goons had been planted to attack him and his allied NEC members. Mariga and Mohammed were elected together in December 2024.
Mohammed said Mariga wanted to control the national teams, the leagues, management and even sponsorship. "He wanted everything to revolve around him," he told the Daily Nation. He said Mariga went on almost every national team trip. Mohammed said he paid for some of those trips from his own pocket. He also claimed that Mariga wanted a seat on every committee.
The FKF boss said Mariga had recently complained that he was not being paid a salary. Mohammed asked where the federation would find the money for the salary, bodyguards, office secretary and full-time driver that Mariga wanted. He questioned whether Mariga had joined FKF for leadership or for personal benefit.
Mariga has rejected his removal. He insists he is still the duly elected vice president and that the process was flawed. He said he and the other accused members were not given a chance to be heard. He added that 32 delegates allied to him were locked out of the meeting.
In a statement on Monday, Mariga said the seven NEC members remain in office. He said they will not recognise the resolutions passed in Meru. He called on FIFA, CAF and the Sports Registrar to urgently examine the meeting, including delegate credentials, attendance, quorum and voting. He said the group reserves the right to pursue all available constitutional remedies.