Mariga Challenges FKF Ouster: Cites Irregularities in Meru SGM

• MacDonald Mariga, FKF Vice President, vows to remain in office despite his ouster at a Special General Meeting in Meru.
• Six other FKF National Executive Committee members were also removed in the vote, which saw 64 delegates support their dismissal.
• Mariga alleges the SGM was unlawful, citing exclusion of 32 legitimate delegates, impersonation, and questions about quorum and voting.
• He plans to pursue all available constitutional remedies to challenge the resolutions.
• Mariga has called on FIFA, CAF, and the Sports Registrar to scrutinize the Meru proceedings for procedural irregularities.

He firmly rejected the purported dismissal of the seven NEC members, declaring that any resolutions stemming from such constitutionally flawed proceedings would not be recognized.

MacDonald Mariga, the Vice President of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and a former Inter Milan midfielder, has publicly declared his intention to remain in office, rejecting his recent removal. His ouster, which occurred at a Special General Meeting (SGM) held in Meru, saw 64 delegates vote to remove him and six other members of the FKF National Executive Committee (NEC). Mariga, a former captain of the Harambee Stars, characterized the move as an unlawful attempt to silence elected leaders who have consistently advocated for accountability, transparency, and sound governance within the federation.

The other NEC members affected by the resolution include Dan Shikanda, representing Nairobi; Gabriel Mghendi for the Coast region; Bernard Lagat from Rift Valley; Kerubo Momanyi, the women's representative; Collins Kalee for Nyanza; and Robert Macharia, representing Central. Mariga emphasized that the constitutional mandates of these elected officials cannot be terminated through an illegitimate process. He asserted that the affected NEC members remain in their positions, signaling a direct challenge to the authority of the SGM's decisions.

Mariga has strongly contested the legitimacy of the Meru SGM proceedings, citing numerous procedural breaches of the FKF Constitution. He stated that he and other legitimate delegates were barred from entering the meeting hall at the Three Steers Hotel. Furthermore, he alleged the exclusion of 32 duly recognized Congress delegates and presented credible evidence of impersonation and unauthorized individuals participating as representatives of legitimate FKF members. These irregularities, according to Mariga, cast serious doubt on the authenticity of the attendance register, the validity of the quorum, and whether the constitutionally mandated voting threshold was achieved.

He firmly rejected the purported dismissal of the seven NEC members, declaring that any resolutions stemming from such constitutionally flawed proceedings would not be recognized. Mariga confirmed his commitment to exhausting all available FKF constitutional remedies to overturn the resolution that effectively removed him and his colleagues from their roles. This stance underscores the critical importance of strict adherence to established governance protocols in member-based organizations.

In light of the disputed ouster, Mariga has formally appealed to international and regional football governing bodies, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), alongside the local Sports Registrar, to intervene. He urged these bodies to conduct an urgent and thorough scrutiny of the Meru SGM proceedings, specifically requesting an examination of delegate credentials, attendance records, the quorum, and the voting process. This call for external intervention highlights the deep internal rifts within the FKF National Executive Committee, which have reportedly prevented the 14 members from effectively conducting business due to conflicting agendas between President Hussein Mohammed and Mariga.

The SGM itself was convened following a press release issued two days prior, indicating that Mariga and his colleagues would face an assembly to review their conduct, with potential expulsion. Notably, the agenda for the SGM did not include a discussion of FKF President Hussein Mohammed's conduct, despite a letter sent a week earlier suggesting it would also be a topic for delegates. The emphasis on procedural integrity and delegate verification by Mariga underscores a crucial aspect of sports governance, where any perceived deviation from established rules can lead to significant legal and administrative challenges, potentially nullifying decisions and inviting regulatory oversight.

Lawyers advising sports federations or other member-based organizations should note the emphasis on strict adherence to constitutional procedures, quorum requirements, and delegate verification during general meetings. Procedural flaws, such as those alleged by Mariga regarding delegate exclusion and impersonation, can form the basis for successful legal challenges against resolutions, potentially leading to nullification of decisions and regulatory intervention.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM