Ousted FKF NEC members call for FIFA-backed normalization committee

The officials, embroiled in a bitter governance dispute with FKF president Hussein Mohammed and his administration, say they would welcome the intervention if it means safeguarding football funds and protecting the interests of the game.

They insist their fight is not driven by personal differences but by concerns over the management of the federation and what they describe as a lack of accountability in its operations.

“We are ready for that,” one of the officials said, referring to the possibility of a normalization committee.

“If it takes for us to save the football money in this country through a normalization committee, the seven of us are ready for that. Let us have a normalization committee which will come and protect both the interests of the government and the interests of FIFA.”

The officials also sought to allay fears that their internal wrangles could automatically expose Kenya to a FIFA ban or jeopardize the country's involvement in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), insisting that the biggest risk was to the current FKF leadership.

“I would like to assure the country that the only thing at risk is President Hussein Mohamed and Abdallah Yusuf being denied the chance to preside over AFCON,” said Shikanda.

The remarks come amid escalating tensions within the federation, with the officials accusing the FKF leadership of undermining due process and denying them an opportunity to respond to allegations levelled against them.

"We attempted to access the SGM from 7 a.m. but were blocked from entering. We were pelted with stones and our driver sped off to escape goons possibly planted by Hussein Mohammed to block us from accessing the meeting venue".

“Only Vice President McDonald Mariga made it to the venue, but only through the intervention or help from the police's Rapid Deployment Unit. He was the only one who could access the venue. But all six of us were unable to access. So we never reached the floor to defend ourselves,” he said.

The former Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards player described the incident as unfair, insisting that every person facing accusations must be given an opportunity to defend themselves.

“If you accuse me, give me the right to defend myself so that justice can be done, We were ready to face the delegates and defend ourselves against the accusations levelled against us,” he added.

The officials further questioned the legitimacy of the Special General Meeting (SGM), alleging that some individuals who attended were not bona fide members of the FKF Congress.

They singled out claims that 66 members constituted a legitimate Congress, with one official alleging that at least half of those presented as genuine members did not qualify.

"My Chairman Nairobi East Branch was replaced with a referee from Bungoma, a move that raises serious questions about the integrity of football administration and officiating in the country".

“If the in-charge of referees in this country can lie to the nation that Juan Simiyu is the chairman of Nairobi East, how much does he lie to the referees who are going to officiate games on the pitch?” he posed.

"In the boardroom, he lied to FIFA that those were bona fide, genuine members of the Congress. Half of the 66 he's talking about were not bona fide members of the Congress. That is a lie,” he claimed.

The dispute has also raised questions about the federation's commitment to accountability and transparency, accusing the president of treating the FKF as personal property and expecting other board members to rubber-stamp decisions.

“Our fight is just governance. Governance, governance, governance. It's not about Mariga. It's not about Shikanda. It's not about Macharia. It's not about Kerubo. It's not about Mugendi. It's not about Kalee. It's not about Lagat. It is about governance,” he declared.

He added that the officials would not support what they consider questionable transactions within the federation.

“We are saying he's doing them in funny areas and then comes to us to rubber-stamp them. We are not made of that fabric. We shall not do that.”

The immediate former AFC Leopards Chairman, also referenced previous FIFA concerns over disciplinary processes, arguing that the current FKF leadership should not repeat what he described as the same mistakes by denying officials the right to be heard.

“The other day FIFA told us we didn't give Hussein Mohamed and Abdallah Yusuf a chance to defend themselves. So he should not be coming to do the same to us, thinking that we don't know our rights. We know our rights, and we know what to do,” he said.

While the seven officials are yet to announce their next course of action, they maintained that they would not preside over what they perceive as the mismanagement of football resources.

“We are legends of football in this country. And we shall not let anyone, anyone whatsoever, play with football the way we are seeing what is happening in Kenyan football,” the vowed.

The possibility of a FIFA normalisation committee now emerges as a potential solution proposed by the aggrieved officials, who believe an independent intervention could help restore order, safeguard football finances and rebuild confidence in the federation.

For now, the standoff continues, with the seven officials insisting that their demands centre on governance reforms rather than positions or personalities.