The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has expelled Vice President McDonald Mariga and six other National Executive Committee (NEC) members following a contentious Special General Meeting (SGM) held in Meru on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The decision marks a major escalation in the leadership dispute that has divided Kenyan football administration for months.
Important clarification: Although earlier reports claimed that NEC member Abdalla Yusuf had replaced Mariga, the latest reports do not establish that Yusuf has been appointed vice president. The confirmed development is Mariga’s expulsion. Former Harambee Stars striker Allan Wanga has been mentioned as a possible replacement, but no confirmed appointment has been announced.
The full story: How the FKF leadership dispute unfolded
1. Mariga’s rise to the FKF vice presidency
Mariga, a former Harambee Stars international and Inter Milan midfielder, became FKF vice president following the December 7, 2024 federation elections. He was elected alongside President Hussein Mohammed under the Fresh Start leadership team. The two initially worked together in the federation’s leadership, but their relationship later became strained amid disagreements over the management of Kenyan football.
2. The dispute that triggered the fallout
The conflict escalated on April 24, 2026, when a faction of NEC members led by Mariga reportedly passed resolutions seeking to suspend FKF President Hussein Mohammed, acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru and co-opted NEC member Abdalla Yusuf. The faction raised concerns surrounding alleged financial irregularities involving KSh42.48 million in insurance payments connected to the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN). These were allegations, not established findings of guilt. The resolutions were subsequently challenged by the federation. The Sports Disputes Tribunal and the High Court issued injunctions stopping their implementation as the legal dispute proceeded. FIFA also determined that the three officials had not been properly suspended and called for the federation to resolve its internal disagreements through the appropriate procedures.
3. How Abdalla Yusuf became central to the leadership dispute
Abdalla Yusuf, a co-opted member of the FKF NEC, became a key figure in the disagreement. He was aligned with Hussein Mohammed’s faction, which opposed the resolutions passed by the Mariga-led group. Interestingly, Yusuf was among the officials whom Mariga’s faction had sought to suspend in April. This explains why his name has repeatedly appeared in reports about the leadership wrangles.
However, there is an important distinction: Yusuf’s alleged appointment as Mariga’s replacement was reported in July 2025, but Hussein Mohammed publicly dismissed those claims at the time. There is no verified announcement establishing that Yusuf has now been appointed FKF vice president following Mariga’s expulsion.
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4. FIFA blocks Mariga’s November 4 NEC meeting
The dispute took another turn in October 2026. On October 27, Mariga circulated a notice calling for an FKF National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for November 4. The proposed agenda included governance and financial concerns within the federation.
However, FIFA intervened on November 2, writing to FKF to stop the meeting. According to Daily Nation, FIFA questioned the validity of the request used to convene the meeting, noting that two NEC members who had initially supported the request had subsequently withdrawn their support. FIFA therefore concluded that the original May 26 request could no longer serve as a valid procedural basis for convening the November 4 meeting. The development further weakened the Mariga-led faction’s efforts to pursue its resolutions through that particular meeting.
5. The November 7 Special General Meeting in Meru
On Saturday, November 7, FKF delegates gathered at Three Steers Hotel in Meru for a Special General Meeting convened to deliberate on the conduct of Mariga and six other NEC members. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 9am but was delayed amid heightened security concerns and confrontations at the venue.
According to reports by The Standard:
– Police from the Rapid Deployment Unit were deployed to secure the venue.
– Teargas was reportedly used as officers attempted to restore order.
– Mariga arrived at the hotel under heavy police escort.
– There were reports that some delegates struggled to access the meeting.
– The meeting eventually proceeded after the security disruptions.
The gathering considered allegations of repeated violations of the FKF Constitution and applicable FIFA regulations by the seven officials. Among the issues discussed were their involvement in the April 24 resolutions, alleged failure to attend NEC meetings and unauthorised communication on behalf of the federation.
The General Assembly voted to expel Mariga and six other NEC members.
