Kenya FA President Suspended Over Financial Misconduct Linked to CHAN Funds Ahead of AFCON 2027

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has decided to suspend its president, Hussein Mohamed, along with interim CEO Dennis Gichuru and Executive Committee member Abdullahi Yusuf Ibrahim. This decision follows allegations of financial mismanagement involving an estimated 42 million Kenyan Shillings (approximately 350 million centimes), funds earmarked for the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

According to the Kenyan website 'Kenyans', this decision was made during a National Executive Committee meeting held today, Friday. It was also resolved that Vice President McDonald Mariga would temporarily lead the federation until investigations and financial audits are concluded. The resolution stated that this step was taken to facilitate internal and external investigations involving relevant national and international authorities.

The website further reported that all bank accounts linked to the suspended president in his official capacity have been frozen. The committee also called for the appointment of an independent auditor to review all funds received by the federation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), FIFA, and the Ministry of Sports.

The committee emphasized that these decisions aim to protect the integrity of Kenyan football and restore public trust, at a time when investigations into suspected mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and transactional irregularities are ongoing.

For his part, the suspended president, Hussein Mohamed, rejected these accusations, considering them a campaign aimed at tarnishing his reputation. He affirmed that he would not allow his efforts to reform corruption within the federation to be undermined.

Kenya has recently faced significant challenges in managing its football federation's affairs, coupled with concerns about the country's readiness to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This comes amidst calls for urgent reforms and a restoration of confidence in the football system. Notably, just two days prior, Hussein Mohamed, the FKF president, had met with a CAF delegation and representatives from the three co-hosting nations for AFCON 2027 – Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda – amid delays in stadium and infrastructure preparations.