McDonald Mariga outlines reasons behind FKF leadership shake-up

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Vice President McDonald Mariga has detailed the circumstances that led to a major leadership shake-up within the federation, citing serious governance, financial, and constitutional concerns.

In a statement addressing the developments, Mariga said the National Executive Committee (NEC) was compelled to act following mounting issues that had raised alarm over the management of football affairs in the country.

Among the concerns highlighted are allegations of financial impropriety and the alleged loss of public funds, as well as reported breaches of procurement procedures and financial management regulations.

According to Mariga, the gravity of the situation has prompted some key officials to step aside to allow for independent investigations and a comprehensive forensic audit into the federation’s operations.

Several oversight and regulatory bodies have now been drawn into the matter, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), as well as football governing bodies CAF and FIFA.

Mariga confirmed that he has assumed the role of Acting FKF President with immediate effect. He also announced that an urgent NEC meeting will be convened to map out the next steps in the federation’s transitional process.

He further noted that measures are being taken to safeguard the integrity of the investigation process, including the preservation of evidence and the freezing of relevant accounts. Existing contracts within the federation are also set to come under review.

Concluding his remarks, Mariga stressed the need to restore confidence in Kenyan football, pledging a renewed focus on transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership going forward.