FIFA has voiced concern following the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) National Executive Committee's decision to suspend several senior officials.
In a statement, the global football governing body cautioned that the provisional suspensions were not executed in line with the federation's constitutional procedures, raising questions about due process within FKF.
In a formal communication addressed to members of the FKF NEC, FIFA stated that it could not recognize the “step aside” directives issued against key officials, including FKF president Hussein Rashid Mohammed, citing failure to comply with due process requirements under the FKF Constitution.
The global football governing body said the actions taken by certain NEC members in April 2026 amounted to a provisional suspension and therefore had to strictly adhere to Article 41 of the FKF Constitution, which governs disciplinary measures within the federation.
According to FIFA, the documentation and explanations provided by FKF did not demonstrate compliance with mandatory procedural safeguards.
These include proper placement of the matter on the agenda, communication to NEC members, adherence to quorum and voting requirements, and the provision of a fair hearing to the affected officials.
“Any measure requiring an official to ‘step aside’, when imposed as a mandatory act, can only be understood as a form of provisional suspension and must strictly comply with the substantive and procedural safeguards,” FIFA stated.
The body further emphasized that such requirements are not optional or discretionary, but fundamental guarantees of due process, legality, and institutional integrity.
It warned that decisions made outside the established constitutional framework cannot produce valid legal effects within the federation.
"On this basis, and without prejudice to any assessment of the underlying issues themselves, FIFA is not in a position to recognize 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," the body said in the statement.
In response, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has acknowledged receipt of communication from FIFA regarding recent governance-related developments within the Federation involving members of its National Executive Committee.
In its correspondence, FIFA reaffirmed the importance of strict adherence to the FKF Constitution and established governance procedures in matters relating to the administration and leadership of the Federation, particularly where disciplinary or suspension actions are concerned.
"The federation further takes note of FIFA's emphasis on institutional stability, due process, restraint, and the need for all football stakeholders to operate within the recognized constitutional framework at all times," their statement said.
FKF said it takes these observations seriously and views them as consistent with its own commitment to orderly governance.
The warning comes about a month after the FKF NEC resolved that President Hussein Rashid Mohammed step aside to allow investigations into allegations concerning financial management and governance within the federation.
In resolutions passed on April 24, 2026, the NEC also directed that Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim, a nominated NEC member, and Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru step aside from their respective roles pending investigations by FKF structures as well as national and international oversight bodies.
The NEC’s decision was informed by concerns over governance practices, financial accountability, and compliance with public finance laws
