By PHILLIP ORWA
21 days after he celebrated his 39th birthday, MacDonald Mariga was on Friday appointed acting Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, taking over immediately the helm of the body whose disposed President, Hussein Mohammed, nearly shoved him off.
The former Inter Milan midfielder, who was until 24th the FKF Vice President, took over immediately following the National Executive Committee (NEC) decision to suspend President Hussein Mohammed over allegations of financial misconduct.
Mohammed was directed to step aside alongside other officials over alleged misappropriation of approximately Sh42 million in CHAN funds, enabling Mariga to take over the stewardship mantle as an investigation and comprehensive forensic audit into the federation’s finances take place.
The majority of FKF National Executive Committee (NEC) members on Friday passed a resolution directing the federation’s top leadership to step aside to allow for investigations into alleged financial impropriety, with the decision also affecting the Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru and NEC member Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim.
The NEC further directed that all federation accounts associated with the suspended president be frozen, while calling for the appointment of an independent auditor to investigate alleged financial mismanagement, procurement breaches, and conflict of interest within the federation.
McDonald Mariga says the decision by the NEC to act was driven by serious governance, financial and constitutional concerns within the Football Kenya Federation.
A key figure in Kenyan football history, Mariga enjoyed a successful playing career in Europe, most notably becoming the first Kenyan to win the UEFA Champions League during his time with Inter Milan in 2010.
Mariga, who started his top-flight footballing career at Ulinzi Stars before moving to Tusker FC and Kenya Pipeline thereafter, faces the immediate challenge of stabilising Kenyan football governance while ensuring that ongoing investigations proceed without interference.
Born on 25 April 1987 to former AFC Leopards left-winger Noah Wanyama, Mariga was a member of the Kamukunji High School ‘Golden Boys’, which also included Kenyan striker Dennis the “Menace” Oliech.
The duo won two consecutive National Championships in 2002 and 2003. After which the central midfielder went to Sweden in 2005 to play for third division side Enkopings SK.
His younger brothers – Victor Wanyama (Pro), Thomas and Sylvester Wanyama – are also Kenya Premier League footballers.
Their younger sister Mercy was the captain of the Lang’ata High School basketball team, and previously played football and netball.
In 2013, Mariga ended his engagement to his long-time Rwandese fiancée Ariane Umutoni, after relations between the couple reportedly deteriorated.
In September 2019, Mariga made his debut in Kenya’s politics after announcing plans to contest for a parliamentary seat in a by-election in one of the constituencies (Kibra). He was nominated by the Jubilee Party as its flag bearer in the Kibra by-election. The by-election was occasioned by the death of former MP Ken Okoth, who died on 26 July 2019 after a long battle with colon cancer.
The Kenyan electoral commission, IEBC, however, did not clear Mariga to participate in the election, since the electoral body insisted that his name was not registered as a voter as of 26th August 2019.
Bernard Okoth of ODM eventually won the by-election, taking over from the late Okoth.
In July last year, unverified reports indicated that Abdalla Yusuf, an NEC member, had been secretly appointed the FKF Vice President, replacing the former legend.
“Abdalla Yusuf, an NEC member, is the new FKF Vice President after Legend Macdonald Mariga was secretly removed. The target is Benni McCarthy; they want to remove him by sabotage. Kenya football is in for a rough ride,” read part of the unverified report widely shared on social media.
This was as the country was gearing up to co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which has now brought the disposed president issues.
Alongside his brother Victor, they are teaming up to give back through the Wanyama Football Academy.
“This isn’t just an academy; it’s a pathway for the next generation of Kenyan stars. From the streets of Nairobi to the world stage – the dream is becoming a reality!” said MacDonald.
