What next after FKF ouster: Expelled FKF VP Mariga speaks out

Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Vice President McDonald Mariga has outlined what he believes is the best path forward to resolve the ongoing leadership crisis at the helm of Kenyan Football Federation (FKF), calling for interventions from investigative agencies such as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Parliament committees to expose deep-rooted mismanagement within the federation.

Speaking following his dramatic removal alongside six other National Executive Committee (NEC) members during a Special General Meeting (SGM) in Meru on November 7, Mariga threw his weight behind the ousted camp’s decision to seek redress in ordinary courts.

He argued that their rivals set the precedent when the wrangles began, adding that the law permits them to pursue legal action.

“When this issue started, the other side of NEC went to court, and no action was taken. I don’t want to talk about matters currently in courts, but I feel we have a right to also seek redress as the court and the rules say when one feels aggrieved. It is just for one to seek redress in courts,” Mariga said in an interview with a local radio station.

At the same time, the former Harambee Stars midfielder strongly expressed hisresevationn for the proposals for FIFA to appoint a normalisation committee to resolve the impasse.

Mariga warned that handing the running of Kenyan football to individuals who do not understand the game would be retrogressive and detrimental to stakeholders whose livelihoods depend on the sport.

Instead, he challenged officials from both divide of the NEC members to face the accusations levelled against them, and step aside if found culpable, urging members of the public to come forward with incriminating evidence to aid state investigators.

“For the normalisation committee route, I would not prefer it, as I fear the people who will come into it will not understand the game. Instead of it, let us face the facts on the issues and accusations facing each one of us. Let us move to decide and get the facts on it, because normalisation is regressive; it will take us back as well as harm people who depend on football,” he added.

“The best route is to let wananchi help us, alongside investigative agencies such as the DCI, and let us have a report on the accusations of misappropriation people have been accused of. It will reveal the people culpable. If Mariga is exposed, let him move aside and vacate his position. This is what we should work on and rid the federation of people who have been mismanaging and running the federation down.”

Furthermore, the embattled official pushed back against accusations that he and his allies had been boycotting NEC meetings. Mariga explained that they stayed away because dubious agendas were repeatedly tabled for discussion, citing skewed budget proposals that heavily favored administrative departments over grassroots development.

Before you go… how about joining our vibrant Telegram and WhatsApp channels for hotter stories?