Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed dismissed an alleged plot to secretly remove his deputy, McDonald Mariga, from his position.
Through a statement released on Tuesday, July 22, Mohammed poured cold water on the rumours, as he flagged as fake a post that had claimed Mariga was secretly removed with Abdalla Yusuf, a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), replacing him.
In the statement, Mohammed maintained that FKF was committed to abiding by the FKF constitution, adding that the Federation was focused on delivering a successful African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in August this year.
“Kindly disregard misinformation circulating on social media. FKF is an institution guided by its constitution, which we strictly adhere to,” Mohammed stated.
“Our focus remains on delivering a successful CHAN 2024 and raising the standards of Kenyan Football,” he added.
Before his remarks, rumours had been rife that the two top figures in the Federation had been embroiled in a dispute, with some alleging that they were not on speaking terms.
According to the unconfirmed reports, internal wrangles, opaque decision-making, and a growing leadership rift had plagued Mohammed and Mariga, who are less than a year into their tenure.
Process of Removing the FKF Vice President
The process of removing the FKF VP is one enshrined in the FKF Constitution. This process generally mirrors that of many federations and associations, including provisions for disciplinary action or a vote of no confidence.
Grounds for removal of a VP include serious violation of the FKF Constitution or other FKF regulations, gross misconduct, incapacity, and loss of confidence.
The first step is a formal written complaint detailing the specific allegations and grounds for removal, which is submitted to the National Executive Committee (NEC). The complaint must be supported by a minimum number of NEC members, for example, one-third or a majority.
The complaint would likely be reviewed by FKF's Ethics Committee or Disciplinary Committee. This committee's role is to investigate the allegations, gather evidence, and determine whether there is a prima facie case for further action. The Vice President would be formally notified of the allegations and given a fair opportunity to respond to the charges in writing.
If the preliminary investigation finds the allegations substantiated, the matter would proceed to a formal hearing before the Disciplinary Committee or a specially constituted ad hoc committee. In the hearing, the Vice President would have the right to attend, present their defence, call witnesses, cross-examine accusers, and be represented by legal counsel.
Following the hearing, the committee would deliberate and issue a decision or recommendation. This could include dismissing the complaint if the allegations are not proven, or imposing lesser sanctions (e.g. suspension) if misconduct is established but removal is not deemed necessary. Alternatively, the committee could recommend the removal of the Vice President if the grounds are considered severe and well-substantiated.
If removal is recommended or if the process allows for direct removal, the matter would typically proceed to a vote by a higher authority. In some instances, the NEC may have the power to remove a member with a qualified majority (e.g. a two-thirds vote).
However, for senior officials such as the Vice President, removal often requires a vote by the FKF General Assembly, which comprises delegates from counties, leagues, and other affiliates. This usually necessitates a super-majority (e.g. two-thirds or three-quarters of the delegates present and voting) to approve the removal. The General Assembly is the ultimate authority in such matters.
The Vice President would typically have the right to appeal the decision to a higher internal FKF body (e.g. the Appeals Committee) and, subsequently, to the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) in Kenya. A final appeal could also be made to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, the highest sports judicial body for football-related matters.
If the removal is finalised, the FKF Constitution would outline how the vacant position is to be filled. This could involve a by-election for the specific position or a temporary appointment by the NEC until the next elective General Assembly.
