The Football Kenya Federation has expelled its Vice-President, McDonald Mariga, and six other National Executive Committee members following a Special General Meeting in Meru on November 7. The meeting was disrupted by police from the Rapid Deployment Unit, who entered Three Steers Hotel and deployed tear-gas. The expulsion was due to breaches of the federation's constitution and FIFA rules. Mariga, a former Harambee Stars captain, was among those removed from office.
The expelled members included Robert Kenneth Macharia, Bernard Korir Lagat, Violet Kerubo Momanyi, Collins Opiyo Kalee, Gabriel Mghendi, and Daniel Akala Shikanda. They were accused of repeatedly violating the federation's constitution and FIFA regulations. One contentious NEC resolution, dated April 24, 2026, attempted to oust President Hussein Mohammed. The federation cited chronic non-attendance at NEC meetings, unauthorized communications, and conduct deemed contrary to its governing rules as reasons for the expulsion.
The Football Kenya Federation asserted that the General Assembly acted within its authority under Articles 16 and 24 of its constitution. These articles empower the body to dismiss NEC members for serious breaches. Representatives from FIFA, the Confederation of African Football, Acting Sports Registrar Chacha J. Maroa, and the State Department for Sports attended the session.
The meeting was held to address issues within the federation, and the expulsion of the seven officials was seen as a significant move. The federation indicated that further details on administrative arrangements will be communicated in due course. The expulsion has raised questions about the future of Kenyan football and the implications for the sport in the country.
McDonald Mariga, a former Harambee Stars captain, has been a prominent figure in Kenyan football. His expulsion, along with that of the six other NEC members, has sparked debate about the governance of the sport in Kenya. The Football Kenya Federation has assured stakeholders that it will work to ensure the smooth operation of the sport.
The Special General Meeting in Meru was a critical event in the history of Kenyan football. The disruptions and expulsion of key officials have highlighted the challenges facing the sport in the country. The federation has promised to communicate further details on the administrative arrangements.
The implications of the expulsion of McDonald Mariga and the six NEC members are still being felt. The Football Kenya Federation has assured stakeholders that it will work to ensure the smooth operation of the sport. The country is looking forward to seeing how the federation will move forward and address the challenges facing Kenyan football.
Key points
- McDonald Mariga and six NEC members were expelled due to breaches of the federation's constitution and FIFA rules.
