Arjun Menon
FIFA has overturned the suspension of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed, ruling the move unconstitutional and in direct violation of the FKF constitution. The world governing body issued its decision in a letter dated May 25th, simultaneously reinstating acting secretary general Dennis Gicheru and NEC member Abdulahi Yusuf Ibrahim.
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The dispute originated after a section of FKF National Executive Committee (NEC) members, reportedly led by McDonald Mariga, moved to suspend Hussein Mohammed over a KSh42 million procurement controversy. The NEC passed a resolution on April 24th directing Mohammed to step aside immediately, pending investigations by local and international bodies. Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim and Dennis Gicheru were also directed to relinquish their roles as part of the same resolution.
FIFA ruled that forcing an official to step aside constitutes a provisional suspension under law. Article 41 of the FKF Constitution requires proper notice, an established agenda, and the right of the accused to be heard. None of those procedural safeguards were observed.
The governing body warned that executing leadership changes outside statutory frameworks directly undermines federation stability, and explicitly noted that the individual NEC members responsible for this breach could face disciplinary measures.
FIFA’s Position: Process Was Fundamentally Flawed
“On this basis, and without prejudice to any assessment of the underlying issues themselves, FIFA is not in a position to recognise decisions taken by certain members of the National Executive Committee that were not adopted in full compliance with Article 41 and the related procedural provisions of the FKF constitution.”
“Actions taken outside the clearly defined statutory framework cannot produce valid legal effects within the association.”
The letter, signed by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov, was direct in its rejection of the procedure followed. FIFA stated that the documentation provided failed to demonstrate compliance with applicable procedural requirements, and categorically rejected the process used.
“Any measure requiring an official to ‘step aside’, when imposed as a mandatory act rather than undertaken voluntarily, can only be understood as a form of provisional suspension within the meaning of Article 41 of the FKF Constitution. As such, it must strictly comply with the substantive and procedural safeguards expressly stipulated therein.”
“These requirements are neither discretionary nor optional; they constitute fundamental guarantees of due process, legality and institutional integrity and cannot be set aside by reference to alternative practices or extraordinary considerations.”
FKF Reaffirms Commitment to Constitutional Order
FKF issued a swift response welcoming FIFA‘s ruling and reaffirmed the importance of adherence to its constitution and established governance procedures.
“The Federation takes note of FIFA‘s emphasis on institutional stability, due process, restraint, and the need for all football stakeholders to operate within the recognised constitutional framework at all times.”
“FKF remains fully operational and committed to upholding the principles of good governance, constitutional order, transparency, and institutional integrity in the management of football in Kenya.”
The federation’s statement added that it welcomes FIFA‘s guidance and commits to safeguarding the stability, credibility, and proper functioning of Kenyan football, particularly during a period of significance for the game both locally and internationally. FKF confirmed it will continue operating within its constitutional structures and in cooperation with FIFA and CAF to ensure continuity across all football activities and programmes.
The ruling is a direct blow to Mariga and the NEC faction that pushed the suspension through. With Mohammed formally reinstated and FIFA‘s backing firmly behind due process, the path forward for any challenge to his leadership must now run through the proper constitutional channels. Follow TipsGG for continued coverage of this developing governance story in Kenyan football.