McDonald Mariga Faces Major FKF Setback as Members Vote to Expel Him

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has expelled Vice President McDonald Mariga and six other National Executive Committee (NEC) members following a tense Special General Meeting held in Meru on Saturday, November 7.

The decision marks a major development in the leadership dispute that has rocked Kenyan football administration.

The General Assembly, which is FKF’s supreme decision-making organ, voted overwhelmingly in favour of removing the seven officials after considering allegations of serious and repeated violations of the federation’s Constitution and applicable football regulations.

According to reports, 65 of the 66 delegates present supported the removal of Mariga and several of the other officials, while AFC Leopards president Boniface Ambani opposed the motion.

The voting figures for some of the other officials were reported slightly differently, with 64 votes in favour and two against in certain cases.

Those affected alongside Mariga are Robert Kenneth Macharia, Bernard Korir Lagat, Violet Kerubo Momanyi, Collins Opiyo Kalee, Gabriel Mghendi and Daniel Akala Shikanda. They represented different regions and constituencies within the federation’s NEC.

FKF said the matters considered included a disputed NEC resolution dated April 24, 2026, which sought the removal of FKF President Hussein Mohammed and other officials.

The federation also cited alleged repeated failure to attend properly convened NEC meetings, unauthorised communication on behalf of FKF and conduct it said was contrary to its Constitution and football regulations.

The federation said the General Assembly relied on Articles 16 and 24 of the FKF Constitution in reaching its decision.

Representatives of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) attended the proceedings, alongside Acting Sports Registrar Chacha Maroa and government sports officials.

However, the vote has not ended the controversy. Mariga and officials aligned with him were reportedly unable to access the meeting venue when the decision was taken.

Some of the affected officials and their supporters have challenged the process, arguing that they were denied an opportunity to defend themselves.

Nairobi NEC representative Dan Shikanda questioned why he could not enter the meeting despite saying he had come to respond to the allegations. “I came to the SGM to defend myself, but unfortunately we have been locked out,” he said, according to media reports.

The meeting itself had been delayed after tense scenes at Three Steers Hotel, including police intervention and the use of teargas. The expelled officials have indicated that they intend to examine the FKF Constitution and challenge what happened.

FKF has said it will provide further communication on implementing the resolutions and the resulting administrative arrangements.

The dispute could therefore continue beyond the Meru meeting, especially as questions remain over the process and the officials’ next move.

Do you think FKF made the right decision to expel Mariga and the six NEC members, or should the officials have been allowed to defend themselves before the vote? Share your views in the comments.

Source: https://x.com/StandardKenya/status/2119067478588359028?a=FW0IACa8oFyRHyUq288&s=19

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