The Sports Disputes Tribunal has halted sweeping leadership changes at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), reinstating president Hussein Mohammed after resolutions that had forced him to step aside were suspended.
The tribunal restrained a faction of National Executive Committee members from implementing the resolutions passed on April 24 that removed Mr Mohammed and other senior officials.
The interim orders also block attempts to freeze FKF bank accounts, assume control of the federation, and elevate the federation’s deputy president McDonald Mariga into the presidency.
At the centre of the dispute is a controversial NEC meeting that cited a Sh42 million insurance scandal linked to the CHAN Pamoja tournament and called for a forensic audit of FKF finances.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
It further directed that all FKF bank accounts be frozen and that Mr Mariga assume presidential duties in an acting capacity pending completion of the probe.
But Ahmed Abdi Ahmed, the FKF Machakos County chairman, moved to the tribunal and challenged the process, arguing the meeting breached the federation’s constitution and produced unlawful resolutions.
In his filings, he said the session was not convened by the president, lacked a properly circulated agenda, and did not meet procedural requirements under Article 38 of the FKF constitution.
“The purported removal of key legitimate members and unlawful constitution of an urgent National Executive Committee Meeting, if not restrained, will prejudice the outcome of the current claim. It will also cement dual power centres within the Federation, leading to operational paralysis and erode members’ confidence and attract adverse regulatory and legal consequences,” his lawyer Omwanza Ombati told the tribunal.
He argued that the decisions were “void ab initio and patently illegal” and warned they had created “dual and competing centres of power” within FKF.
“The said resolutions are in gross violation of a number of constitutional and fundamental rights of the aggrieved members and also, principles of fair hearing and due process as assured by the Constitution of Kenya,” the advocate said.
The tribunal certified the matter as urgent and issued interim injunctions halting implementation of all resolutions from the disputed meeting.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohamed addresses the national Girls Under 17 players at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on April 22, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
It directed the applicant to serve all parties with the court papers by April 29 and ordered the respondents to file responses by May 4, ahead of a mention set for May 5.
The panel hearing the case is chaired by Allan Mola Owinyi, alongside Luke Wamugunda and Victor Omwebu.
Court documents outline significant risks had the resolutions taken effect, including disruption of FKF operations and Kenya’s participation in key international fixtures, and funding streams.
The applicant warned the situation could affect Kenya’s presence at the FIFA Congress scheduled for April 30 to May 2, as well as upcoming Women’s U-17 World Cup qualifiers.
He also cited threats to CAF competitions, domestic leagues, and preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations under the Pamoja bid.
Further, the filings caution that the developments could trigger sanctions from FIFA for third-party interference, potentially isolating Kenyan football from global competition and funding.
Mr Ahmed argued that allowing the resolutions to proceed would prejudice the case and entrench parallel leadership structures within the federation.
He also said internal dispute mechanisms had become ineffective due to the emergence of competing centres of authority.
The tribunal’s restored the status quo, keeping Mr Mohammed in office as the legal battle over control of FKF unfolds.
