Kenya FA President Hussein Mohammed Suspended Over Financial Allegations

Kenyan football has been plunged into fresh turmoil after Hussein Mohammed was suspended from his role as Football Kenya Federation president by the federation’s National Executive Committee (NEC) over allegations of financial misappropriation.

The decision, taken on Friday, also saw NEC member Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim and acting chief executive Dennis Gicheru ordered to step aside pending investigations into the claims.

Hussein had been expected to provide a detailed explanation regarding what has been described as “the CHAN insurance story” alongside other accusations facing his administration.

However, NEC members moved ahead of his anticipated response and enforced the suspension.

Reports indicate the controversy centres on an insurance deal linked to the 2024 African Nations Championship, a tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania on 25 February.

According to those reports, the federation is alleged to have awarded a contract valued at KSh 42,406,815 to a recently formed company, despite receiving more competitive bids from established insurance firms.

“It has come to the attention of the NEC and the country that serious breaches of the FKF Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Kenya including: financial impropriety,” read part of a statement signed by nine of the fourteen NEC members.

“Misappropriation of public funds, including alleged theft of approximately Kh42,000,000 from the CHAN bank account, serious breaches of the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act 2015 and Public Finance Management Act, including non-competitive procurement of goods and services and conflict of interest.”

The statement further outlined the immediate actions taken by the committee.

“With immediate effect, Hussein Mohammed to step aside from his role and position as President of Football Kenya Federation, Abdullahi Ibrahim to step aside from his role as nominated member of FKF NEC committee, and Dennis Gicheru to step aside from his position as the acting secretary general, so as to allow for investigations.”

The latest development leaves the federation facing a period of uncertainty as investigations into the allegations continue, with senior leadership figures temporarily removed from their positions.