Court blocks Mariga faction from taking over FKF in fresh leadership row

FKF deputy president McDonald Mariga (centre) flanked by NEC members during a press briefing at Nyayo Stadium. [File Courtesy]

The High Court has issued conservatory orders barring Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Deputy President McDonald Mariga and his faction from taking over the leadership of the federation, in a dramatic escalation of the ongoing leadership wrangles.

In orders issued on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Justice Bahati Mwamuye halted the implementation of resolutions that sought to unseat FKF President Hussein Mohammed and other top officials, pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by suspended National Executive Committee (NEC) member Ibrahim Yussuf.

The judge, sitting at the Kiambu High Court, directed that the status quo be maintained and restrained the NEC from interfering with the positions held by the affected officials.

“Pending the inter-partes hearing and determination of the Petitioner Yusuf Notice of Motion Application dated April 26, 2026, a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the Respondents from suspending, removing, or in any other way interfering with the Petitioner's office and position at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the National Executive Committee, and/or related offices, bodies,” ruled Justice Mwamuye.

The orders effectively block Mariga and his team from assuming control of FKF, dealing a blow to a faction that had moved to reorganise the federation’s leadership following a contentious NEC meeting held on April 24.

In a further directive, the court reinstated the previous leadership structure, including President Hussein Mohammed and acting CEO Dennis Gicheru, nullifying any actions already taken to remove them.

Embattled FKF president Hussein Mohammed during a press briefing at Goal Project Offices, Kasarani. [Courtesy, FKF Media]

“Further to order one above, if any such adverse action and or decision has already been taken, the same be and is hereby stayed and the status quo ante operating immediately before the said action or decision be and is hereby restored by Order of this Court pending the inter partes hearing and determination of Yusuf's application," the judge ordered.

The court also set strict timelines for the parties to comply with procedural requirements ahead of the next mention.

“The Petitioner shall serve the Respondent (FKF) and the Interested Party with the Application, the Petition, and this Court Order immediately and file an Affidavit of Service in that regard by close of business April 29, 2026,” the court directed.

In addition, the respondents, including the FKF NEC and other interested parties led by Mariga, were ordered to respond within a set timeframe.

“The Respondent and the Interested Party shall enter appearance and file and serve their respective responses to both the Application and the Petition; and they shall do so by close of business on May 5, 2026,” Justice Mwamuye directed.

The matter will be mentioned on May 19, 2026, to confirm compliance and give further directions on the hearing of the case.

The dispute stems from a controversial NEC meeting that resolved to remove President Mohammed, acting CEO Gicheru, and NEC member Ibrahim Yussuf, citing alleged financial impropriety, including a Sh42 million insurance scandal linked to the CHAN Pamoja tournament.

The meeting also recommended a forensic audit of FKF accounts and sought to freeze the federation’s bank accounts, while proposing that Deputy President Mariga assume presidential duties in an acting capacity pending investigation.

However, Yussuf, in his court filings, challenged the legality of the meeting and its resolutions, arguing that it was convened in violation of the FKF constitution.

He contends that the meeting was neither called by the federation’s president nor properly constituted, and that no valid notice or agenda was circulated as required under the governing rules.

The High Court’s intervention now freezes the leadership changes and restores the previous office holders, setting the stage for a legal showdown that could determine the future leadership of Kenyan football.

The ruling comes barely hours following parallel proceedings before the Sports Disputes Tribunal, which had similarly halted the implementation of the contested NEC resolutions.