Kenya appears to have put the hosting of 2027 Pamoja Africa Cup of Nations under serious jeopardy following the ongoing crisis in its football governing body, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Kenya is set to co-host the tournament with Uganda and Tanzania in June/July next year, but internal wrangling within FKF could again expose the country to a possible suspension from global football.
World football governing body FIFA has written to Kenya seeking clarification and has indicated that it is treating the matter seriously.
The development follows Friday’s events in which FKF suspended its president Hussein Mohamed, along with acting chief executive Dennis Gichuru and executive committee member Abdallah Yusuf Ibrahim, over allegations of financial mismanagement linked to funds for the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
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In its letter, FIFA is seeking clarification on several issues, including:
- how the FKF NEC meeting of 24 April 2026 was convened
- proof of quorum and voting results
- justification for the provisional dismissals
- evidence that Hussein Mohamed and the other officials were given a fair chance to defend themselves under Article 41(4) of FKF statutes
- confirmation that due process was followed in line with Articles 38, 40, and 41 of the FKF statutes
In a statement on Friday, FKF Vice President Macdonald Maringa (ex-international) was appointed interim leader while investigations continue.
If FIFA concludes that FKF statutes were violated, the removal process was unlawful, or there is evidence of parallel leadership or government interference, Kenya could face suspension.
Kenyan football has previously been suspended by FIFA on three occasions, in 2004, 2006, and most recently in 2022.
The 2022 suspension followed the dissolution of FKF by then Sports Cabinet Secretary Dr. Amina Mohamed on 11 November 2021 over allegations of misappropriation of funds, with a caretaker committee subsequently installed.
Then, FIFA imposed a ban on 25 February 2022, which was lifted nine months later on 28 November 2022 after the FKF executive committee was reinstated.
If Kenya is suspended again, CAF could be forced to reassess the entire East African hosting structure, potentially leading to a relocation of AFCON 2027.
There is also no certainty that Uganda and Tanzania would be able to independently host the tournament without Kenya.
What exactly is the FIFA letter to Kenya saying?
FIFA is launching investigations into the Football Kenya Federation National Executive Committee’s decision to provisionally remove FKF President Hussein Rashid Mohammed, NEC member Abdullahi Yusuf Ibrahim, and Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru from office.
In a letter addressed to FKF NEC members, FIFA says it became aware of a resolution reportedly passed on or around April 24th, 2026, requiring the three officials to “step aside from their respective functions on a provisional basis.”
FIFA says it is now working with CAF to establish whether the process followed the FKF Statutes, especially Articles 38, 40, and 41, which govern executive committee procedures and disciplinary action.
The letter states, quote, “FIFA, in coordination with CAF, is currently assessing this matter with a view to gaining a clear and accurate understanding of the circumstances surrounding the adoption of the Resolution, as well as its compliance with the FKF Statutes.”
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FIFA has asked FKF to provide detailed documentation, including how the meeting was convened, notices sent to members, the agenda of the meeting, attendance records, quorum confirmation, and voting results.
The governing body also wants proof that the affected officials were given a chance to defend themselves before the resolution was passed, as required under Article 41, paragraph 4 of the FKF Statutes.
FIFA further stated, quote, “This includes clarification as to how the meeting was convened, whether the applicable quorum and voting requirements were met, and whether the affected officials were duly granted their statutory right to be heard.”
FKF has also been asked to submit all reports, correspondence, and materials used to justify the decision, along with a detailed written explanation for the provisional dismissal.
FIFA and CAF have given FKF until May 1st, 2026, to submit all the requested documents to allow the review process to be completed in time.
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