McDonald Mariga: Why Transparency is My First Priority as Acting President

Corruption is one of the most significant threats to the development of our sports, and it is time for a firm stance to ensure our institutions serve the public good. 

The landscape of Kenyan football faces a seismic shift following a dramatic intervention by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) National Executive Committee (NEC). 

On April 24, 2026, the committee passed a resolution that has sent shockwaves through the sporting fraternity, signaling a hardline approach to governance and fiscal responsibility. 

At the heart of this transition is football icon McDonald Mariga, who has officially assumed the role of Acting President to navigate the federation through its most turbulent period in recent history.

Addressing Systemic Governance Failures

The decision by the NEC follows the discovery of what has been described as “serious governance, financial, and constitutional violations.” 

The implications of these findings are profound, pointing toward widespread systemic failure within the sport’s governing body.

“It came to the attention of the National Executive Committee that there were serious governance, financial, and constitutional violations, which informed and led to the resolution passed on 24th April 2026. Consequently, the NEC wishes to inform the public that decisive measures will be undertaken to safeguard the integrity of the Football Kenya Federation,” Mariga stated in his inaugural address.

The allegations are grave, encompassing potential criminal activity and blatant disregard for fiscal oversight.

Mariga highlighted that the concerns include “allegations of financial impropriety, loss of public funds, and breaches of procurement and financial management laws.” In a move to facilitate unfettered scrutiny, several high-ranking officials have been forced to step aside, making way for comprehensive forensic audits.

Major regulatory and sporting bodies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), have launched probes into the federation’s operations. Additionally, the sport’s global and continental overseers—FIFA and CAF—are actively monitoring the situation.

“We note that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Confederation of African Football (CAF), and FIFA have commenced investigations into these matters. We welcome these processes and respectfully urge the respective bodies to fast-track their inquiries to ensure timely accountability, preserve public confidence, and facilitate the swift restoration of integrity within Football Kenya Federation,” Mariga added.

Restoring Trust and Operational Continuity

Addressing the leadership void left by the suspended officials, Mariga confirmed he has taken the reins immediately. 

“To ensure continuity of operations, the NEC has mandated me to take up the role of Acting President, which mandate I have accepted and assumed with immediate effect,” he added.

Mariga noted that an urgent NEC meeting is forthcoming, and steps are being taken to preserve evidence, including the freezing of relevant bank accounts and a top-to-bottom review of existing contracts.

Crucially, the federation is moving to reassure its commercial partners that the house-cleaning exercise will not disrupt the game’s daily operations.

 “We want to assure all our partners that there is no vacuum and FKF shall honour in full all our obligations. Specifically, we want to assure our premier league partner SportPesa, our premier league broadcast partner Azam, and all our other partners that we shall continue with the partnerships as per our contracts.”

Looking forward, Mariga expressed optimism that this “clean-up” is not an end, but a necessary reset. 

“We believe that our decision to clean up the game will build trust and attract more partners. We welcome and invite both current and new partners to join us as we work to grow and strengthen football in a transparent and accountable way,” he concluded.