The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has received a major financial boost after global football governing body FIFA approved the immediate resumption of development funding under the FIFA Forward Programme.
The decision, communicated by the Governance Audit and Compliance Committee in a letter dated December 15 marks the end of a period of strict financial control placed on FKF following a less favourable central audit review conducted in 2024.
FKF had seen funding restrictions since 2022 when FIFA Issued a ban on Kenya due to government interference.
In the official communication, signed by FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Elikhan Mammadov, the GACC acknowledged the significant progress made by the Kenyan body.
Massive boost for FKF after FIFA lifts restriction on funding
The letter addressed to FKF General Secretary stated that the GACC positively reviewed the case, noting the positive steps made by FKF implementation of the action plan as well as the improved results of the 2024 central audit review.
“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 by the GACC during their meeting.
The Governance Audit and Compliance Committee has decided that the standard release of development funding under the Forward Programme is to be resumed with immediate effect.”
The resumption of the standard release of development funding means FKF can now access its allocated funds for the 2023-2026 FIFA Forward 3.0 cycle.
The total allocation for the cycle stands at approximately Ksh 1 billion (USD $8 million), which is crucial for infrastructure projects, including the construction of the new Technical Centre in Machakos.
The letter by FIFA however outlines a condition for continued monitoring for the Kenyan body headed by Hussein Mohammed.
“The GACC strongly encourages the FKF to continue with the implementation of the required actions to further improve its financial management, including the proper use of the funds.
As such, a monthly reporting mechanism regarding the use of the FIFA Forward funds will remain in effect, at least until the next GACC meeting in March 2026.”
FKF President Hussein Mohammed has been vocal about the federation’s commitment to tightening financial controls in recent months, stating that the reforms are meant to restore transparency and position FKF as a credible partner to local and international stakeholders including in an exclusive interview with Sportpesa Blog a few days ago.
The immediate unfreezing of funds will now allow FKF to focus entirely on its core mandate of developing football structures across the country, starting with youth development and capacity building with Kenyan football fans building expectations ahead of a packed 2024 calendar starting with the FIFA Under 20 Women’s World cup qualifiers.