World football governing body FIFA has warned the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) over the growing number of football disputes being taken to ordinary Kenyan courts, cautioning that continued breaches of its rules could be referred to its competent bodies for action.

The warning is contained in a letter dated 5 October 2026 from FIFA's Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, to FKF acting general secretary Dennis Gicheru, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) copied in. The letter became public on Saturday, 31 October, according to the Nation and The Eastleigh Voice.

What FIFA said

Mammadov said FIFA had "taken note with concern of the increasing number of proceedings brought before ordinary courts" on matters touching on the organisation and running of football in Kenya, including disputes over competitions, elections, membership and disciplinary decisions.

He reminded the federation that Article 69 of the FKF constitution requires football disputes to be resolved by arbitration bodies recognised by FKF or CAF, or by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. He also cited Article 51 of the FIFA Statutes, which bars member associations and their members from taking such disputes to ordinary courts, including applications for interim orders, unless FIFA's rules or national law expressly allow it.

"Any infringement of these principles may lead FIFA to refer the matter to its competent bodies," the letter warned, pointing to possible measures under the FIFA Statutes.

  • No sanctions have been announced for now.
  • Reports indicate the federation has been dragged into at least five High Court cases this year.

A federation at war with itself

The caution lands at a sensitive time for Kenyan football, which has been rocked by a prolonged leadership fight between FKF president Hussein Mohammed and his deputy, McDonald Mariga, together with a section of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

The row, which revolves around financial accountability and the running of the federation, has spilled into the Sports Disputes Tribunal and the courts. Several NEC meetings have collapsed for lack of quorum after rival members stayed away. In May, FIFA rejected an attempt by a section of the NEC to suspend Hussein, saying the procedure set out in the FKF constitution had not been followed.

Clubs have also turned to the courts. Relegated side Darajani Gogo recently obtained court orders halting the start of the National Super League as it challenged its demotion.

Why it matters

FIFA's statutes treat the use of ordinary courts in football matters as a serious governance breach, and the world body has in the past punished member associations for third-party interference with measures up to suspension, which would lock clubs and national teams out of international competition.

The timing is delicate. Kenya is co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Uganda and Tanzania, and Harambee Stars are preparing for a double-header against South Africa. The FKF had not publicly responded to the letter by the time of publication.

Photos: IMAGO via DW / The Eastleigh Voice; The Star. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.