How CHAN millions vanished from FKF accounts

 A bitter power struggle within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has exploded into a full-blown criminal investigation, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) scrutinising allegations of financial mismanagement, procurement irregularities and abuse of office against the federation’s top leadership.

 The alleged loss of millions comes as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating a suspected scandal involving payment of Sh42 million for African Nations Championship (CHAN) insurance.

 A new dossier sent by the FKF National Executive Committee (NEC) to the DCI illustrated how millions of shillings meant to prepare the national team for the CHAN tournament allegedly disappeared from federation accounts.

 It accuses embattled President Hussein Mohammed and Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru of presiding over weak financial controls and opaque disbursements that have left a trail of unexplained cash withdrawals and unpaid creditors.

 The Ministry of Sports disbursed Sh60 million to FKF on September 2, 2025, on top of an earlier Sh25 million sent to FKF accounts to support Harambee Stars preparations, according to documents attached to the complaint.

 However, NEC members allege that little of that money reached its intended destination.

 Bank statements obtained and submitted to investigators show that as of early 2026, the Harambee Stars Management Board account held a balance of Sh64,667,903.

 Yet within two months, the account balance had dwindled to Sh30,941,781.20 by April 23, 2026 — a loss of more than Sh30 million, with no corresponding documentation provided to the NEC.

  “An analysis of the account statements reveals arbitrary payments to non-prequalified entities, undertaken without prior review, deliberation or approval by the NEC.” A NEC complaint read

 Beneficiaries listed in the documents are companies that did not appear on FKF’s official pre-qualified list for 2025–2027.

 The NEC complaint further alleges that none of the service providers listed in the Ministry-approved disbursement framework were paid, despite the Sh60 million release.

 One contracted firm, Topline Ltd, has already filed suit against FKF seeking recovery of approximately Sh60 million for services rendered, after arbitration failed.

 NEC members have also raised concerns over a persistent failure by management to meet basic financial reporting obligations.

 The complaint states that the federation has not presented quarterly management accounts for the 2025 financial year, audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2025, nor quarterly reports for the period ending March 31, 2026.

 “This sustained lack of financial disclosure and reporting not only impairs the NEC’s ability to exercise effective oversight, but also raises significant concerns regarding possible concealment of financial activities,” the complaint reads.

 The documents also highlight the sidelining of the finance committee, which informed the NEC of a lack of engagement and non-adherence to its mandated role.

 The committee said it had been excluded from key financial decision-making processes, undermining effective oversight.

 The allegations come at a critical moment for Kenyan football. The country is set to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, and the NEC complaint warns that the governance crisis poses a real threat to compliance with CAF and FIFA requirements and risks damaging Kenya’s credibility as a host nation.

 The EACC has already visited FKF headquarters at the Goal Project in Kasarani, demanding access to financial records for the 2024–2026 period, lists of pre-qualified companies, and all tender documents and procurement records.

 Following the exposé by The Standard, seven EACC officers stormed the premises as part of the inquiry into the alleged Sh42 million CHAN insurance scandal.

 Mohammed has dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign. In a press briefing on April 25, 2026, he maintained that the procurement of insurance for CHAN 2025 was conducted within the framework of the CAF Host Agreement and that there was no loss of funds under the insurance arrangements.