Football Kenya Federation President Issues 21 Allegations Against CEO in Power Struggle
Nairobi, 17 January 2026
Hussein Mohammed has served Harold Ndege with a show cause notice containing 21 serious allegations just eleven months after appointing him as CEO. The Employment and Labour Relations Court has intervened with an injunction blocking FKF’s attempts to remove Ndege, creating a legal standoff that threatens Kenya’s football governance. This crisis emerges barely one year into Hussein’s presidency, undermining his reform agenda built on integrity and transparency. The dispute has already disrupted National Executive Committee meetings and disciplinary proceedings, with the case scheduled for hearing on 27 January 2026.
Court Intervention Halts Federation’s Disciplinary Action
The legal battle intensified on 9 January 2026 when Harold Ndege successfully obtained an injunction from the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi, effectively blocking any immediate action against him [1]. Lady Justice Agnes M.K. Nzei issued clear interim orders stating: “In the interim, an order is hereby issued restraining the responded (FKF), its president, NEC, committees, agents or servants from deliberating on, acting upon or implementing the notice to show cause dated 31 December 2025 and/or the agenda item scheduled for the 15 January 2026, pending hearing and determination of the application” [1]. Despite the court’s intervention, the FKF disciplinary committee, chaired by former international footballer McDonald Mariga, proceeded with deliberations on the same day at Kandada House, prompting Ndege to file contempt charges [1][3]. The case is scheduled for hearing on 27 January 2026, where the Employment and Labour Relations Court will determine the future of this leadership dispute [1][3].
Timeline of Escalating Tensions
The crisis has unfolded rapidly since Hussein Mohammed’s election as FKF president on 7 December 2024 [1]. Harold Ndege, a former Tusker FC player who holds a Master’s degree in finance from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India, was appointed as CEO on 14 February 2025, replacing Patrick Korir who had stepped aside [1][3]. However, by 31 December 2025, the working relationship had deteriorated to the point where Hussein issued a show cause notice citing 21 reasons for Ndege’s removal [1][3]. The president had originally scheduled a National Executive Committee meeting for 15 January 2026 to discuss Ndege’s removal, but this was effectively blocked by the court injunction [1][3]. Hussein’s frustration with the situation became evident when he stated: “I don’t want to engage him. For things to move, he must leave because we can no longer work together. He has to go” [1].
Reform Agenda Under Threat
This internal strife threatens to undermine the reform agenda that Hussein Mohammed campaigned on, which was built on principles of “integrity, transparency and accountability” [3]. The president had articulated his vision for change, declaring: “If we are to compete with the best in the world, we must decisively and fearlessly deal with incompetence, mediocrity, corruption and ineptitude in the administration of football. For too long, we have normalised and tolerated low standards in our institutions. This must stop” [3]. The timing of this crisis is particularly challenging for Kenyan football, which continues to face structural problems including unpaid coaches and leagues without title sponsors [1]. Recent incidents have highlighted these weaknesses, including the abandonment of matches between Nairobi United versus Gor Mahia in the FKF Premier League and Gucha Stars versus Mombasa United in the National Super League due to violence [3]. The Nairobi United-Gor Mahia match was abandoned in the 72nd minute after violence erupted following a goal, with fans still awaiting verdicts since approximately 13 December 2025 [3].
Broader Impact on Kenyan Football Development
The leadership crisis comes at a critical juncture for Kenyan football development, with the dispute threatening to overshadow positive initiatives such as the national futsal team’s preparations for continental competition [6]. On 16 January 2026, the Kenya Men’s National Futsal Team unveiled its final 14-player squad for the Total Energies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 qualifiers, with training commencing at Kasarani Indoor Arena [6]. The team is scheduled to play Namibia in the first round on 23 and 28 January 2026, demonstrating that football activities continue despite the administrative turmoil [6]. However, the ongoing boardroom wrangles risk consuming the federation’s energy and resources at a time when unity and focus are essential for developing grassroots programmes and supporting national teams. As one analysis noted, “The FKF risks being consumed by internal conflict, affecting players, clubs, officials, and fans” [3]. The future stability of Kenyan football governance now depends on the court’s decision on 27 January 2026 and whether the federation can resolve its differences maturely while respecting legal processes [3].