Mariga Rejects Dismissal of FKF NEC Members, Insists They Remain in Office

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Vice-President McDonald Mariga has rejected the dismissal of seven National Executive Committee (NEC) members, insisting that they remain in office despite resolutions passed during the federation’s Special General Meeting (SGM) in Meru on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

In a statement issued on Monday, November 9, on behalf of the affected officials, Mariga questioned the legality of the meeting and argued that the process used to remove them violated the FKF Constitution.

The dispute has intensified divisions within the country’s football administration, with the affected officials disputing the validity of the resolutions while FKF maintains that the General Assembly acted within its mandate.

Mariga Questions Meru Meeting Procedures

Mariga alleged that seven NEC members and 32 accredited Congress delegates were denied access to the meeting venue at Three Steers Hotel in Meru.

He argued that excluding elected officials and accredited delegates undermined the legitimacy of the proceedings, raising questions about the meeting’s attendance register, quorum and voting process.

At the centre of his objection is Article 41(4) and (5) of the FKF Constitution, which provides for due process in the removal of officials, including the right to be heard.

Mariga further argued that the dismissal motions should have been determined through a secret ballot rather than by acclamation, insisting that the constitution requires a two-thirds majority of valid votes for such a motion to pass.

The affected officials also raised concerns over alleged impersonation and the participation of individuals they claim were not properly authorised to represent legitimate FKF members.

These claims have not been independently established, and the legality of the meeting’s proceedings remains contested.

FKF Defends the Decision to Remove Seven Officials

The FKF General Assembly resolved to remove Mariga and six other NEC members over alleged serious and repeated violations of the federation’s constitution and applicable FIFA regulations.

According to the federation, the decision followed deliberations on several issues, including an alleged NEC resolution dated April 24, 2026, seeking the removal of FKF President Hussein Mohammed and other officials.

FKF also cited repeated failure by some NEC members to attend duly convened meetings and what it described as unauthorised communication on behalf of the federation.

The federation relied on Articles 16 and 24 of its constitution, maintaining that the General Assembly is the organisation’s supreme decision-making body and has authority to act on such matters.

The seven officials affected are:

1. McDonald Mariga – Vice-President
2. Robert Kenneth Macharia – Central NEC representative
3. Bernard Korir Lagat – Upper Rift Valley representative
4. Violet Kerubo Momanyi – Women’s representative
5. Collins Opiyo Kalee – Nyanza representative
6. Gabriel Mghendi – Coast representative
7. Daniel Akala Shikanda – Nairobi representative

Mariga Calls for FIFA, CAF Intervention

Rejecting the resolutions, Mariga and the affected officials have called on FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Kenya’s Sports Registrar to scrutinise the Meru meeting.

They want the relevant authorities to examine delegate credentials, attendance records, quorum requirements and the voting procedure used to pass the dismissal resolutions.

The group has also indicated that it reserves the right to pursue constitutional remedies to challenge the decision.

Mariga maintains that their objection is not simply about retaining their positions but about protecting constitutional governance, accountability and transparency within Kenyan football.

FKF Leadership Dispute Raises Questions Over Governance

The disagreement presents another major test for FKF’s leadership, particularly as questions emerge over the interpretation and application of the federation’s constitution.

While the General Assembly has announced its decision to remove the seven officials, Mariga’s rejection means the dispute is far from settled.

The Star also reported on November 9 that FKF had clarified that it had not appointed replacements to fill the seven positions, including the vice-president’s office, and that any leadership changes would follow the federation’s constitutional procedures.

The coming days could therefore be important in determining how the federation handles the disputed resolutions and whether the matter proceeds to formal review by football authorities or through other constitutional channels.