Chaos Rock FKF Meeting as Vice President Mariga Alleges Attack on His Allies

Police deployed tear gas and Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) officers at Three Steers Hotel in Meru on Saturday, November 7, after chaos broke out at the venue of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Special General Meeting (SGM), preventing the gathering from starting as scheduled.

The SGM was set to commence at 9 am, but proceedings had not begun as a tense standoff unfolded at the hotel.

Hundreds of youths had reportedly descended on the venue ahead of the security operation, with some occupying different rooms within the hotel.

RDU officers moved into the premises to remove unauthorised persons and clear access for accredited delegates.

Teargas was deployed at the main entrance as security personnel worked to disperse the crowd and secure the perimeter.

The operation left a number of delegates unable to gain entry, raising concerns about whether all duly accredited members would be able to participate in the constitutional gathering.

FKF vice president McDonald Mariga, who has been in a prolonged tussle with President Hussein Mohamed, claimed that delegates allied to him were attacked with stones and locked out of the venue.

In an official statement, the federation acknowledged the meeting failing to start as scheduled, attributing it to an incident in which RDU officers moved into the venue and discharged teargas into the meeting room, where delegates were seated awaiting the start of proceedings.

"The incident has disrupted a constitutional process convened by members of the FKF General Assembly in exercise of their mandate under the FKF Constitution," the federation said.

FKF added that it was concerned by the circumstances surrounding the RDU operation and the resulting interference with the meeting, and promised further updates in due course.

The unrest did not emerge without warning. A day before the SGM, a physical altercation was reported in Meru involving an FKF National Executive Committee (NEC) member and two branch chairmen who had travelled to the venue to inspect preparations.

The two chairmen were reportedly confronted by a group that had been brought from Nairobi, and the encounter turned violent, leaving several people with injuries.

Saturday's disorder has cast serious doubt over the start of the meeting, which is expected to determine the future of several FKF NEC members amid the federation's protracted leadership dispute.

FKF had confirmed that representatives from FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the government would attend as observers.