Hussein Mohammed (C)
The leadership crisis at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has taken a new turn as the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) extended interim orders shielding President Hussein Mohammed from ouster.
This comes as a rival faction of the National Executive Committee (NEC) escalated the conflict to Parliament, alleging systemic fraud and a “breakdown of financial oversight” within the federation.
In a directive issued on May 5, 2026 and seen by Hivisasa News, the SDT ruled that the interim orders issued on April 27, which halted the NEC’s resolution to suspend Mohammed,as well as acting CEO Dennis Gicheru and member Abdalla Yusuf, will remain in place.
The tribunal, led by Deputy Chairperson Allan Mola Owinyi, noted that a FIFA inquiry into the dispute is currently “central to the resolution” of the matter.
The SDT emphasised that while the Kiambu High Court has issued similar protective orders, the tribunal maintains its jurisdiction to hear the case. All parties have been ordered to file their documents, including materials related to the FIFA probe, before a follow-up mention on May 12, 2026.
While the courts have provided a temporary reprieve for Mohammed, the NEC faction—led by Vice President McDonald Mariga and eight other members—has moved to the National Assembly with a detailed petition.
In a submission to the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture, the NEC alleged that the federation is currently “haunted by a Sh42M ghost”.
NEC’s Implications on Hussein Mohammed
In the submission, NEC issued four key concerns. One allegation is that KES 42.7 million was paid to an unlicensed insurance broker (Riskwell Insurance Brokers Ltd) just 40 days before the 2024 CHAN tournament.
Furthermore, there is suspected manipulation of NEC minutes to remove financial oversight safeguards and a “third-tier signatory” requirement on bank accounts.
Moreover, there are claims of KES 30.6 million in irregular payments for charter flights flagged by the Auditor-General, with no supporting requisitions or flight manifests. NEC also claimed Mohammed oversaw unauthorized seizure of 250 ticket scanners donated by CAF, allegedly overseen by co-opted officials – including Yusuf.
AFCON 2027 Hosting Status at Risk?
The NEC has warned Parliament that this “governance crisis” and the resulting “decision-making paralysis” could jeopardize Kenya’s ability to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The committee argued that the breakdown in financial integrity undermines the confidence of CAF, FIFA, and government sponsors.
The rival faction is now calling for a forensic audit and for all implicated members to step aside to pave the way for an independent investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
For now, Hussein Mohammed remains in office under the protection of the SDT and the High Court, but the legal and parliamentary pressure continues to mount ahead of the crucial May 12 court date.
By Mark Kinyanjui
