FIFA lifts funding freeze on Kenyan football after governance improvements
FIFA has lifted its development funding freeze on the Football Kenya Federation after governance reforms and a positive 2024 audit, restoring increased FIFA Forward 3.0 support under strict monthly reporting.
FIFA has officially lifted restrictions on development funding to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s long road back to compliance with global football governance standards.
In a letter dated December 15, 2025, to FKF General-Secretary Harold Ndege, FIFA confirmed that its Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee (GACC) had approved the resumption of standard FIFA Forward development funding with immediate effect.
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The decision follows a positive assessment of FKF’s governance reforms and the successful conclusion of the 2024 central audit review.
Welcoming FIFA’s decision, FKF President Hussein Mohammed described the move as a major vote of confidence in the federation’s ongoing governance and financial reforms.
“This decision by FIFA is a strong vote of confidence in the direction we are taking as a Federation. Step by step, we are fixing Kenyan football by strengthening governance, improving financial management, and restoring credibility at all levels,” said Hussein.
Hussein attributed the breakthrough to collective effort within FKF, emphasising discipline and accountability as key drivers of progress.
“This outcome has been achieved through hard work, discipline, and collective responsibility by the FKF leadership and secretariat. We remain fully committed to meeting all FIFA requirements and ensuring that these resources are used transparently and solely for the development of football in Kenya.”
2021 funding freeze
The funding freeze originated in November 2021, when the Kenyan government dissolved FKF’s elected leadership after a government audit revealed concerns over financial mismanagement, governance failures, and accountability. A caretaker committee was appointed to manage football affairs.
FIFA maintains strict rules against third-party interference, including government involvement in national football associations. In response, FIFA suspended FKF in February 2022, cutting Kenya off from international football competitions and halting all FIFA development support.
Although the suspension was lifted on November 28, 2022, after the caretaker committee stepped aside, FIFA retained enhanced oversight, keeping development funding on hold until compliance standards were fully met.
According to Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, the GACC assessed FKF under Article 15 of the FIFA Forward Development Programme Regulations, reviewing the implementation of agreed corrective measures and the results of the 2024 central audit.
“In light of the positive steps made by the Football Kenya Federation regarding the implementation of the action plan and the improved results of the 2024 central audit review, we hereby confirm that your case was positively reviewed,” FIFA stated.
What FKF stands to gain
With funding now reinstated, FKF will remain under monthly reporting obligations until at least the next GACC meeting in March 2026.
FIFA emphasised the need for ongoing improvements in financial management, transparency, and governance to maintain access to development resources.
The restored support comes under FIFA Forward 3.0 (the 2023–2026 cycle), part of a record $2.25 billion (Sh296.7 billion) global investment in football development.
Kenya’s allocation includes Sh164,874,125 ($1.25 million) for operational costs, Sh395,697,900 ($3 million) for long-term football development objectives, and Sh39,569,790 ($0.3 million) for urgent needs, including national team travel, accommodation, and equipment.
This represents a 29 per cent increase over the previous funding cycle and is part of FKF’s sevenfold increase in football development investment since FIFA Forward 3.0 was launched.
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