FKF Suspends Hussein Mohamed Over KSh42 Million CHAN Scandal

The Football Kenya Federation has plunged into a fresh governance crisis after its National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to suspend president Hussein Mohamed over alleged financial impropriety involving KSh42 million tied to the African Nations Championship.

The decision, reached on April 24, also forced NEC member Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim and acting CEO Dennis Gicheru to step aside as investigations intensify into the handling of federation funds.

In an immediate restructuring of leadership, deputy president Macdonald Mariga has assumed control of the federation in an acting capacity. He is expected to convene an urgent NEC meeting aimed at stabilising operations and guiding the federation through the unfolding crisis.

The NEC resolution, backed by nine of the 14 members, cited serious allegations including misappropriation of public funds, conflict of interest, and breaches of procurement laws. Central to the probe is the disputed CHAN 2024 insurance contract valued at KSh42 million, which was reportedly awarded to a recently registered firm despite lower bids of approximately KSh29 million from established insurers.

To safeguard evidence, the committee ordered the freezing of all FKF bank accounts linked to Mohamed in his official capacity. Additionally, an independent forensic audit has been commissioned to review funds received from key stakeholders, including FIFA, Confederation of African Football, and the Kenyan Ministry of Sports.

The NEC maintained that the drastic measures were necessary to restore public confidence and protect the integrity of Kenyan football. Notably, three members — Charles Njagi, Ahmedqadar Mohammed Dabar, and Kenneth Rungu — were absent from the meeting.

Despite the mounting pressure, Mohamed has strongly denied wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as a calculated attempt to tarnish his reputation. He insisted that his efforts to reform the federation had triggered resistance from entrenched interests.

“Once I started the process of cleaning house, it was inevitable that corruption would fight back,” Mohamed said. “Through such a malicious campaign, a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to sport can be destroyed. I shall not allow it.”

The crisis now places FKF under intense scrutiny both locally and internationally, with calls for accountability growing louder as investigators examine whether public funds were misused in the CHAN preparations.

With Mariga at the helm on an interim basis, the focus shifts to whether the federation can navigate the governance turmoil and maintain stability ahead of key football engagements.