Newly elected Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed has hailed his victory as a triumph for Kenyan football.
Speaking a day after defeating his rivals at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, Hussein vowed to usher in a new era for the sport.
“Thank you to all the delegates who supported the Fresh Start team and voted for change. This is not just our victory; it is a win for every player, fan, club, and supporter who envisions a brighter future for our sport,” he said.
Hussein will be deputized by former international and UEFA Champions League winner McDonald Mariga.
“Throughout our campaigns, we emphasized the need to fix football governance. When working with the federation, delegates, and branches, we must uphold honesty, responsibility, and transparency,” he stated.
He added, “The work of rebuilding Kenyan football begins now. Together, we will restore pride, nurture talent, and reignite the passion that unites us all. Thank you for making this possible.”
Hussein identified infrastructure as one of the most significant challenges facing Kenyan football but outlined a roadmap to address it. “By fostering private-public partnerships and collaborating with governments, schools, and institutions, we can create world-class facilities from grassroots to the national level,” he explained.
Hussein criticized his rivals for using dishonest tactics in an attempt to derail his campaign. “They tried propaganda to mislead the masses that the numbers were on their side — it didn’t work! They attempted coercion, deceit, and threats — it didn’t work! Change is here,” he declared.
Hussein clinched the FKF presidency in a closely contested race, securing 67 votes in the second round of voting against Barry Otieno’s 23.
Outgoing vice president Doris Petra, who was the third candidate in the runoff, conceded defeat after the first round of voting.
In the first round, Hussein garnered 42 of the 90 votes cast. Petra, aligned with outgoing president Nick Mwendwa, received 31 votes, while former FKF CEO Otieno managed 10. Cleophas Shimanyula was fourth with four votes.
