By PHILLIP ORWA
Embattled Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has received temporary relief after the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) intervened to pause efforts to remove him from office, freezing disputed resolutions that had paved the way for a leadership coup at the Federation.
On Friday, the FKF NEC bestowed leadership mantle of FKF upon McDonald Mariga after alleged findings of misappropriation of millions of shillings earmarked for CHAN.
But in a case filed by Ahmed Abdi Mohamed, which was certified urgent, the Tribunal issued a temporary order suspending all actions from the disputed resolutions pending further directions on May 5.
“The Applicant shall serve upon the Respondents and the Interested Parties with the Statement of Claim and the Notice of Motion and all their accompanying documents, together with this Order by 12.00pm on 29th April 2026. The Respondents and the Interested Parties shall file and serve their responses to both the Statement of Claim and the Notice of Motion Application on or before 12.00 p.m on 4th May 2026,” the tribunal said in a communique.
The interim orders issued Monday barred former international and Inter Milan player McDonald Mariga and 10 others from implementing resolutions passed during an April 24, 2026, FKF National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
“The Tribunal grants a temporary order of injunction restraining the Respondents, whether by themselves, their officials, agents, servants or any persons acting under their authority, from effecting the entire Resolutions as passed on 24th April 2026 until the Mention date,” the tribunal directed.
The move stopped any changes in leadership, handing Mohammed a reprieve while creating a clear impediment for Mariga’s faction.
Respondents and interested parties have until May 4 to file responses before the matter returns before a three-member panel comprising Hon. Allan Mola, Hon. Luke Wamugunda and Hon. Victor Omwebu.
Mohammed, Nominated NEC Member Yussuf Ibrahim, and Acting CEO Dennis Gicheru were suspended by a section of the FKF National Executive Committee members last Friday over allegations of misuse of funds, and Vice President Mariga was installed as President immediately in an acting capacity over an alleged Sh42 million CHAN 2024 insurance single-sourcing scandal against lower bids from well-established firms.
World football governing body FIFA has also waded into the matter, directing FKF to submit a wide range of documents to support its review, including records of how the emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting was convened, proof of quorum, voting details, and evidence that the affected officials were given a fair opportunity to respond before any action was taken.
A communique from FIFA stated: “We wish to inform you that FIFA, in coordination with Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF), is currently assessing this matter with a view to gaining a clear and accurate understanding of the circumstances surrounding the adoption of the resolution, as well as its compliance with the FKF Statutes. In regards to the information and elements that led to the attempt to adopt the resolution, this matter is being treated with due seriousness and attention. In this respect, CAF is currently assessing the case itself, including the underlying elements and circumstances.”
The organs asked for cooperation from the FKF National Executive Committee in providing information and documentation to enable them to verify if the dismissal of the President and other officials was conducted in accordance with the FKF Statutes, in particular Articles 38, 40, and 41.
