Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has strongly denied claims of a secret plot to remove his deputy, McDonald Mariga, from his role as FKF Vice President.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, July 22, Mohammed dismissed the viral reports as baseless rumours.
He clarified that a social media post circulating the claims — which suggested that Mariga had been quietly replaced by National Executive Committee (NEC) member Abdalla Yusuf — was completely fake and should be disregarded.
Mohammed assured the public that the Federation remains fully committed to upholding its constitution, which clearly outlines how the organization is run and how leadership changes can legally occur.
He also emphasized that FKF’s current priority is to successfully host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, scheduled for August.
“Please ignore the false information making rounds online. FKF is a constitutionally guided institution, and we adhere strictly to those rules,” Mohammed stated.
“Right now, our focus is on ensuring the successful delivery of CHAN 2024 and continuing to elevate the quality of football in Kenya.”
The statement comes amid growing speculation that the FKF top leadership had fallen into disarray, with reports suggesting that Mohammed and Mariga were no longer on speaking terms.
Some sources even hinted at internal power struggles, lack of transparency in decision-making, and deepening friction within the Federation — even though the current leadership has only been in office for less than a year.
How an FKF Vice President Can Be Removed
To clarify, removing the FKF Vice President is not a backdoor process. It is a legal and structured procedure outlined in the FKF Constitution and mirrors the governance processes of many other sports federations. There are clear grounds for removal, which include:
- Gross misconduct
- Violating the FKF Constitution or its regulations
- Incapacity to perform duties
- Loss of confidence by stakeholders
The process usually begins with a formal written complaint, which must detail the exact charges and be supported by a minimum number of NEC members, often a third or a majority.
This complaint is then forwarded to either the Ethics Committee or the Disciplinary Committee, which investigates the matter. During this phase, evidence is gathered, and the Vice President is notified of the allegations and given a fair opportunity to respond in writing.
If the committee finds enough reason to move forward, a formal disciplinary hearing is held. Here, the Vice President has the right to defend themselves, present evidence, call witnesses, and even be represented by a lawyer.
Once the hearing is complete, the committee deliberates and issues a verdict. The outcome could range from:
- Dismissal of the complaint if no wrongdoing is found
- Lighter punishment like suspension if the offense is minor
- Recommendation for full removal if the charges are serious and well-supported
If a removal is recommended, the next step often involves a vote by a higher FKF authority. For junior officials, this may be handled by the NEC with a supermajority.
However, for senior officials like the Vice President, the FKF General Assembly — made up of delegates from across the country, including counties, leagues, and affiliated bodies — typically has the final say. Removal usually requires a two-thirds or three-quarters majority vote from the delegates.
If the Vice President is voted out, they still have the right to appeal, first within FKF structures such as the Appeals Committee, then to Kenya’s Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT). If needed, the appeal could go all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, which is the global court for sports matters.
Once the removal is finalized, the FKF Constitution outlines the next steps—either through a by-election or an interim appointment by the NEC until a formal election is held at the next General Assembly.
Despite the social media buzz, Hussein Mohammed’s firm response signals that there is no active move to remove McDonald Mariga from his position — at least not through legitimate Federation channels.
For now, FKF is focused on hosting a successful continental tournament and pushing forward with its football development agenda.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
