FKF crisis deepens as firm sues federation over Sh64m CHAN bill

The crisis currently engulfing the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) took yet another turn on Monday after a logistics company moved to court seeking to recover an alleged unpaid Sh64 million debt linked to the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Topline Logistics Limited filed a lawsuit against FKF officials, piling further pressure on embattled federation president Hussein Mohammed, whose leadership is already under scrutiny over internal governance wrangles and alleged financial misconduct.

Court documents filed at the Milimani Law Courts show the company has sued Mohammed, FKF Deputy President McDonald Mariga and Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru in their capacities as federation officials.

According to the suit, the company claims it provided logistical services during CHAN 2024 but has yet to receive payment to this day, despite the Ministry of Sports allegedly releasing funds to expedite tournament preparations and related pledges.

The High Court directed that the application be served immediately, with responses to be filed within seven days before further directions are given.

The latest legal battle adds another questionable layer to the turmoil currently threatening to destabilise Kenyan football, coming only days after Mohammed and members of the divided FKF National Executive Committee (NEC) separately appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Sports, Culture and Tourism over the federation’s ongoing governance issues.

The FKF President, recently ‘suspended’ by a section of the NEC over allegations of procurement irregularities linked to the same tournament, has continued to insist he remains the legitimate head of Kenyan football. The Sports Disputes Tribunal later issued temporary orders overturning the NEC decision pending the hearing and determination of the dispute.

The latest lawsuit now threatens to intensify concerns surrounding FKF’s financial management at a time when the federation is expected to play a crucial role in preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda.

Ironically, the court action emerged just as Mohammed joined top African football and government leaders in Nairobi during high-level meetings centred on the continent’s football future.

Mohammed met Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe before and during the Africa Forward Summit attended by President William Ruto, regional sports ministers, football federation presidents and CAF officials.

The summit focused on sports commercialisation, infrastructure development and preparations for the 2027 AFCON under the East African Pamoja partnership.

During the event, President Ruto stressed Africa’s economic growth and the strategic role sport can play in driving investment, innovation and job creation across the continent.

“Sports is infrastructure. Sports are an investment. Sports is culture, diplomacy, technology, tourism, and jobs. Africa must not stand at the margins of this global industry. Africa must stand at its centre,” he said.

Motsepe talked on the meaning of transforming football into a commercially sustainable industry capable of generating long-term economic opportunities.

The CAF boss had earlier presided over the signing of the Kampala Agreement, where Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania formally committed to strengthening joint coordination structures ahead of AFCON 2027 through the formation of the Pamoja Oversight Committee.

The ceremony brought together Sports CS Salim Mvurya, Sports PS Elijah Mwangi, Uganda FA President Moses Magogo, Tanzania FA President Wallace Karia, ministers from the three countries and members of the Local Organising Committee.

But even as Kenya publicly reaffirmed its readiness to host Africa’s biggest football tournament, the escalating troubles within FKF risk casting a shadow over the country’s credibility and preparedness.

The federation has increasingly found itself battling multiple fires simultaneously. From internal leadership wars and FIFA scrutiny to allegations of procurement irregularities, unpaid debts and growing stakeholder mistrust.

World governing body FIFA has already requested detailed documentation from FKF regarding the controversial NEC meeting that sought to suspend Mohammed and other officials.

The Mariga-led NEC faction has maintained that all requested documents and supporting evidence were submitted to FIFA for review. Meanwhile, the new lawsuit is likely to trigger fresh questions over how CHAN-related funds were utilised.

UTILITIES: Key accusations facing FKF leadership

• Alleged Sh42 million CHAN insurance irregularity
• Claims of weak procurement oversight
• Internal NEC leadership wrangles
• Alleged undisclosed financial transactions
• Lawsuit over alleged Sh64 million unpaid CHAN logistics bill (new)