BY TEDDY MULEI
FKF presidential hopeful Hussein Mohamed has named former Harambee Stars skipper McDonald Mariga as his running mate ahead of the FKF elections slated for December 7.
Speaking during the unveiling at the Villa Rosa Kempinski, Hussein emphasized that his choice of Mariga was driven by their shared passion and ambition to revive Kenyan football.
“In the quest to restore Kenya’s football glory, I looked at where we have been, the struggles we have faced and the heights we are yet to scale. I sort a partner whose passion matches my ambition and that’s why I settled on Mariga,” Hussein stated.
A ringing endorsement came via video from Mariga's former teammate at Inter Milan, Moussa Sissoko, who lauded the decision.
“Mariga has played at the highest level. He understands the game deeply and is the perfect choice to help elevate Kenyan football. He has what it takes to move the sport forward,” Sissoko remarked.
Mariga’s brother, Victor Wanyama, currently with CF Montréal, echoed those sentiments, calling Mariga the ideal candidate to professionalize Kenyan football.
“Mariga brings the kind of professionalism our football desperately needs. He knows what it takes to change the narrative,” Wanyama stated.
Mariga lamented the absence of former players in leadership roles within the current FKF regime, stressing the importance of their involvement in football development.
“It’s unfortunate that we don’t have former players within the federation. They are key to shaping the future of the game because they’ve been through it. We need to change that,” Mariga said.
The duo is campaigning under the slogan, "A Fresh Start," promising a new era for Kenyan football.
Mariga touched on the plight of local players, many of whom go months without pay, and vowed that under their leadership, such issues would be resolved.
“Players in Kenya are treated poorly, with many going unpaid for months. Our regime will ensure they are well compensated and cared for,” he pledged.
Reflecting on Kenya’s past footballing glory, Mariga reminisced about a time when players would receive scholarships to go play abroad.
“Making it as a footballer in Kenya is tough due to poor management. Back in the day, things were different—there were scholarships and opportunities that are now lacking. We need to restore that,” Mariga noted.
He stressed the need to elevate Kenyan football to international standards, where more local players could break into Europe's top leagues.
“We want to bring back the days when scouts came looking for our talent. Right now, they only look to West Africa. That has to change,” he added.
Mariga and Hussein's vision also includes involving all stakeholders to drive the game forward, with sponsorship being a critical component.
“To develop football, we must engage all stakeholders, including sponsors. Our league needs proper backing to grow,” Mariga said.
The former Inter Milan midfielder also emphasized the importance of integrity, promising transparency and accountability if elected.
“Sponsorships mean nothing if the federation is corrupt. We will bring integrity to the office and be accountable,” Mariga assured.
The duo’s agenda includes a strong focus on the women’s game, a sector Mariga believes holds untapped potential.
“Women’s football is growing, but it lacks support. We need to set up proper development programs for them, as it’s a league full of promise,” Mariga concluded.