FIFA Rejects FKF ‘Step Aside’ Procedure, Tells NEC to Follow Constitution

FIFA has rejected the procedure followed by some members of the Football Kenya Federation National Executive Committee in relation to the reported “stepping aside” of FKF officials, insisting that any such action must strictly comply with the federation’s constitution.

In a letter dated 25 May 2026 and addressed to FKF National Executive Committee members, FIFA said the information and documentation submitted to it did not demonstrate that the required procedural safeguards had been respected.

The world football governing body stated that requests it had previously made, seeking clarification on whether the measures were adopted in line with the FKF Constitution, had not been properly complied with. FIFA said it was therefore not satisfied that the process followed met the standards required under the federation’s own rules.

“At the outset, we must emphasise that the specific requests made in FIFA’s previous correspondence, aimed at clarifying whether the measures in question were adopted in compliance with the FKF Constitution, have not been duly complied with,” the letter stated.

FIFA particularly pointed to Article 41 of the 2017 edition of the FKF Constitution, which it said clearly regulates the process for the provisional dismissal or provisional suspension of a person or a body within the federation.

According to FIFA, any such measure must be properly proposed and justified, placed on the agenda, communicated to NEC members, adopted with the required quorum and voting thresholds, and preceded by giving the affected person the right to be heard.

The letter further warned that any directive requiring an official to “step aside”, where it is imposed as a mandatory action rather than taken voluntarily, can only be treated as a form of provisional suspension. FIFA said such a move must therefore meet the full procedural and substantive requirements set out in the FKF Constitution.

“These requirements are neither discretionary nor optional,” FIFA said, adding that they are fundamental safeguards of due process, legality and institutional integrity.

On that basis, FIFA said it was not in a position to recognise decisions taken by certain NEC members if those decisions were not adopted in full compliance with Article 41 and related provisions of the FKF Constitution.

The governing body also cautioned that actions taken outside the clearly defined statutory framework cannot produce valid legal effects within the association.

FIFA urged the FKF leadership to handle the matter carefully, noting that decisions affecting the leadership and administration of the federation should not be taken hastily. It also reminded FKF members that the federation has previously gone through periods of institutional instability, making it important for all parties to act with restraint and responsibility.

The letter said all FKF members and bodies must respect the constitutional framework in order to protect the stability, credibility and proper functioning of the federation, especially during periods of heightened institutional significance.

FIFA also warned that any actions taken by FKF members or FKF bodies in breach of the constitution, rules and regulations may expose the individuals involved to consequences, including possible disciplinary measures. Such matters, FIFA noted, may be handled by the competent judicial bodies of FKF in accordance with due process.

The communication was signed by Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, and copied to CAF.

FIFA concluded by expressing confidence that the FKF National Executive Committee and all concerned parties would take the issues raised into account and ensure any future action is conducted in strict conformity with the FKF Constitution and principles of good governance.