Boardroom wars have yet again manifested at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) after a section of the National Executive Committee (NEC), led by vice president McDonald Mariga, formally questioned the planned launch of Safaricom Chapa Dimba Season Five.
In a letter dated May 4, 2026, and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom PLC, the FKF NEC warned that any agreement or partnership entered into without its approval is invalid and unconstitutional.
The letter was written on official FKF letterhead and signed by Mariga on behalf of the committee.
The correspondence comes at a time when preparations were underway for the launch of the fifth season of Chapa Dimba, a flagship grassroots football tournament sponsored by Safaricom and credited with nurturing young talent across the country.
While acknowledging Safaricom’s long-standing support for football development and youth empowerment, the NEC said recent announcements surrounding the tournament had forced it to clarify its official position.
“The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) wishes to clarify that any agreement or partnership arrangement undertaken without the approval of the NEC is null, irregular, and contrary to the provisions of the FKF Constitution, which vests oversight and decision-making authority on all strategic, financial, and partnership matters in the NEC,” read part of the statement by the FKF.
Mariga Asserts Constitutional Authority
In the letter, the NEC states that any agreement or partnership arrangement entered into without its approval is “null, irregular and contrary” to the FKF Constitution.
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The committee insisted that oversight and decision-making authority over all strategic, financial, and partnership matters rests solely with the NEC.
“As the supreme decision-making organ of the Federation, the NEC is mandated to approve all binding commitments entered into on behalf of FKF,” the letter reads in part.
The NEC further notes that arrangements made outside this framework fall below the required governance standards and procedures. This, it says, effectively renders them invalid, regardless of the parties involved.
By taking this position, Mariga and the NEC appear to be directly challenging the legitimacy of the planned Chapa Dimba Season Five launch, unless it receives formal backing from the committee.
The move signals fresh internal divisions within FKF, particularly over how major commercial partnerships are negotiated and announced.
Chapa Dimba is one of the most visible football projects in the country, making the dispute both sensitive and high-profile.
Call for Restraint and Structured Engagement
In the same letter, the NEC urged restraint and stressed the need for all stakeholders to fully comply with the FKF Constitution and established approval processes.
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The committee said adherence to governance structures is essential to ensure accountability, transparency, and alignment with the federation’s rules.
It added that it remains open to cooperation, but only within the agreed constitutional framework.
“The NEC remains committed to transparency, accountability, and fostering strong, mutually beneficial partnerships,” the letter states, while adding that structured engagement can only happen once outstanding governance issues are resolved.
The letter also listed nine NEC members, stating that the position taken reflects a collective decision.
Those named include regional representatives from Central, Lower Rift, Upper Rift, Western, Nyanza, Coast, Nairobi, as well as the women’s representative, alongside Mariga.
Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba tournament has grown into a cornerstone of grassroots football in Kenya, producing players who have gone on to feature in national teams and top-flight clubs.
It remains unclear whether the planned Season Five launch will proceed as scheduled or be delayed pending internal resolutions.
