Hussein Mohamed Elected FKF President as McDonald Mariga Becomes Deputy

Nairobi, 

Sunday, 7 December, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Hussein Mohamed has been elected the new president of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) following a competitive election held at the Moi Kasarani Indoor Arena on Saturday. 

Former Kenyan international McDonald Mariga was also elected as his deputy, marking the beginning of a new era for Kenyan football.

The election was initially forced into a runoff after no candidate attained the required 50 percent threshold in the first round. Hussein Mohamed eventually triumphed, securing the mandate to lead the FKF into a new chapter.

The preliminary results of the first round reflected a closely contested battle. Hussein Mohamed led with 43 votes, followed by incumbent FKF Vice President Doris Petra with 31 votes, and former FKF CEO Barry Otieno with 10 votes.

Cleophas Shimanyula (4 votes), Sammy Owino (2 votes), and Chris Amimo and Sam Ochola, who both failed to garner any votes, were eliminated from the race.

Doris Petra, who had hoped to become the first woman to lead FKF, graciously conceded defeat after the runoff, paving the way for Mohamed's historic victory.

NEC Elections

In addition to the presidency, delegates elected members to the FKF National Executive Committee (NEC), ushering in a wave of new leadership in various regions.

The newly elected NEC members are:

Coast Region: Gabriel Mugendi (Team Blue– 32/89 votes

Central Region: Robert Kenneth (Fresh Start) – 54/90 votes

Eastern Region: Charles Njoka (Fresh Start) – 40/89 votes

Lower Rift Valley: Peter Kamau (Fresh Start) – 46/88 votes

North Eastern Region: Mohamed Dabaar (Fresh Start) – 64/90 votes

Nairobi Region: Dan Shikanda – 25/23 votes

Nyanza Region: Collins Kalee (Fresh Start)

Western Region: Caleb Amwayi (Fresh Start)

Upper Rift Region: Bernard Langat

The election of predominantly "Fresh Start" candidates indicates a strong desire for change and reform within the federation.

Delegates and Voting Process

The election was conducted by 90 delegates, excluding four representatives from coaches, referees, and the Homa Bay and Nyamira branches. Delegates voted for the president, deputy president, and NEC members in a transparent process aimed at restoring credibility to the federation.

The candidates vying for the presidency included Hussein Mohamed, Doris Petra, Barry Otieno, Tom Alila, Cleophas Shimanyula, Sammy Owino, Chris Amimo, and Sam Ochola.

A New Dawn for Kenyan Football

As president, Hussein Mohamed will face the daunting task of rebuilding the FKF's reputation and implementing critical reforms as he replaced outgoing President Nick Mwendwa who served his full term. 

Among the challenges he inherits are fostering grassroots development, enhancing league professionalism, and securing sponsorship deals to bolster the sport’s financial stability.

The inclusion of McDonald Mariga as deputy adds a sense of hope and optimism, given his extensive football experience as a former international player.

Hussein Mohamed expressed his gratitude to the delegates and promised to deliver transformative leadership.

“This victory is for every Kenyan football fan who believes in the power of sports to unite and inspire,” Mohamed said. “We are committed to working tirelessly to elevate football in Kenya and ensure our players and teams thrive on the local and international stage.”

As the dust settles on this hotly contested election, fans and players alike will be keenly watching the new administration's next steps as they aim to transform Kenyan football into a powerhouse on the continent.