Political-style infighting has erupted inside the country’s football leadership after McDonald Mariga moved to the Sports Disputes Tribunal in a bid to halt disciplinary proceedings launched against him by the Football Kenya Federation.
The former Harambee Stars midfielder, who currently serves as FKF Vice President, filed the petition on May 27, challenging the legality and fairness of the disciplinary case brought by the federation’s disciplinary arm following an explosive fallout over an alleged KSh42.8 million fraud scandal linked to preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Court documents seen by local media show that the FKF Disciplinary Committee has been listed as the main respondent in the case, while the FKF Migori Branch has been named as an interested party — a development that hints at widening divisions within the federation beyond Nairobi power circles.
The petition further names disciplinary committee official Boru, who is cited both in his personal capacity and as an authorised representative of the committee. Meanwhile, FKF Migori Branch Secretary Daniel Ochola Ochali has been listed as the representative of the interested party.
Mariga’s legal team argues that the disciplinary proceedings are unlawful and in violation of FKF’s own governing statutes.
According to the petition, the disciplinary process against the vice president “violates established rules and regulations” governing the federation, raising fresh concerns over transparency and due process within the country’s football leadership.
The case marks a dramatic escalation in the power struggle rocking FKF, pitting a sitting vice president directly against the federation’s disciplinary machinery in what insiders describe as one of the most serious governance crises in recent years.
The disciplinary action stems from a controversial move led by Mariga and a faction of National Executive Committee (NEC) members to suspend FKF President Hussein Mohammed, Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru, and NEC member Abdulahi Yusuf Ibrahim over alleged procurement irregularities.
The officials were accused of overseeing the non-competitive procurement of an insurance policy linked to CHAN preparations — a scandal estimated at KSh42.8 million.
On April 24, nine out of fourteen NEC members reportedly voted in favour of suspending the trio and temporarily installed Mariga as acting president in a move that triggered immediate backlash within football circles.
However, the attempted takeover suffered a major blow after FIFA stepped in to reject the suspensions.
In a strongly worded letter dated May 27, FIFA declared that the Mariga-led faction had failed to comply with Article 41 of the FKF Constitution, effectively invalidating the attempted removal of Hussein Mohammed and his allies.
Mariga now faces four proposed disciplinary charges, including conduct prejudicial to the interests of football, bringing the game into disrepute, abuse of office, and failure to act in the best interests of the federation.
The Sports Disputes Tribunal is now expected to determine whether the disciplinary proceedings can proceed — a ruling that could significantly shape the balance of power within Kenyan football.
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