The leadership war at Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has taken a new turn after members of the federation's General Assembly summoned president Hussein Mohammed to explain why he should not be disciplined, or even removed from office, over six charges touching on governance, money and appointments.

The 12-page summons, dated Tuesday, October 27, gives Hussein until November 4 to respond in writing. The assembly has also called a Special General Meeting (SGM) for Saturday, November 7, at the Three Steers Hotel in Meru, where the charges are expected to be considered. According to Capital FM, his deputy McDonald Mariga has been summoned to the same meeting to answer separate charges.

The six charges against Hussein

The document, as reported by Citizen Digital and Capital FM, lists six allegations against the federation president:

  • Failing to hold an Annual General Meeting since May 2025 and to implement National Executive Committee (NEC) resolutions, including recommendations of a transitional committee set up in December 2024.
  • Running the federation without an approved 2026 budget, and questions over about Sh30 million in government money for national team activities and preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
  • Interfering with league structures and competition rules for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons before the required approvals were in place.
  • Irregular handling of the General Secretary vacancy and the appointment of acting CEO Denis Gicheru.
  • Appointing the Harambee Stars technical bench and committee members without NEC approval.
  • Manipulating NEC minutes, including presenting draft minutes as confirmed records in court proceedings in June 2026.

The summons itself says the allegations are "not established findings of misconduct", and that Hussein will be allowed to respond, challenge the evidence and call witnesses before any decision is made. Possible outcomes range from a reprimand to dismissal.

Mariga also in the dock

Mariga, the former Inter Milan midfielder, is accused of failing to provide leadership, failing to attend properly convened NEC meetings, and taking part in an attempt to oust Hussein in April. Like his boss, he is also linked to the irregular appointment of the national team technical bench.

"You repeatedly failed, without sufficient justification, to attend properly convened NEC meetings, thereby obstructing collective decisions and oversight," the assembly said in the charges against him, according to Capital FM.

A house divided

The relationship between the two men collapsed earlier this year. In April, Mariga and nine NEC members suspended Hussein over his alleged role in a Sh42.4 million insurance deal for CHAN involving a broker said to lack an Insurance Regulatory Authority licence. Hussein returned to office after FIFA and the Confederation of African Football stepped in, with CAF ruling that the meeting that suspended him had been improperly convened.

Since then, the two camps have traded statements, with Hussein accusing his deputy of frustrating federation business despite his efforts to reconcile them. Neither Hussein nor Mariga had publicly responded to the latest summons by the time of publication.

The Meru meeting comes at a sensitive time for Kenyan football, with the country preparing to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

Photos: Capital FM/Football Kenya Federation; Citizen Digital. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.