FKF expels seven NEC members after disrupted Meru meeting, sources report

Police teargas and disputed accounts surrounded a Football Kenya Federation meeting in Meru that led to the expulsion of seven executive members.

What happened

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Special General Meeting in Meru was disrupted on Saturday, November 7 [1][2]. In a statement, the FKF said officers from the Police Rapid Deployment Unit fired teargas canisters into the room at Three Steers Hotel where delegates had gathered, and that the meeting had not started [1]. The FKF General Assembly then resolved to expel seven National Executive Committee members, including Vice-President McDonald Mariga, following deliberations on alleged violations of the FKF Constitution [3].

Why Kenyans are searching for it

The sources do not explain why ‘fkf’ is being searched for in Kenya, and none links search interest to a single event. They cover the Meru meeting and its aftermath [1][2][3], so this explainer cannot confirm what is driving the searches.

Key facts

• According to [3], 65 delegates voted in favour of the expulsions, and AFC Leopards chair Boniface Ambani was the only one to oppose.
• According to [3], FKF president Hussein Mohammed said the seven had been invited to defend themselves but declined to do so or send a legal representative.
• Mariga and NEC member Dan Shikanda have dismissed their expulsion, according to [2].
• Shikanda described the meeting as illegal and said genuine delegates were locked out [2].
• According to [2], a police contingent that had accompanied Mariga and his allies was forced out after a group led by Meru County Police Commander Moses Mutisya arrived.
• The sources do not include a police response to the teargas claims [1].

The sources differ on where the teargas was used. [3] says it was used at the main entrance, while it also cites a report placing it inside the meeting venue. [1] describes teargas fired into the room where delegates were waiting. The sources also differ on access: [1] says some delegates struggled to get in and raised concerns about whether all accredited members could attend, while [2] reports the claim that genuine delegates were locked out.

What to watch

• Whether police respond to the FKF’s account of the teargas.
• How the dispute over delegate access and accreditation is resolved.
• Whether the expulsions of the seven members stand, which the sources do not yet settle.

Sources

1. [1] Police fire teargas at FKF special general meeting in Meru - Nairobi Tea
2. [2] Ousted FKF members break silence after dismissal - Nairobi Tea
3. [3] FKF expels Vice-President McDonald Mariga and six other NEC members at Meru meeting - Nairobi Tea

Compiled by the NairobiCity trend desk from the sources above.