A storm is brewing inside the Football Kenya Federation and veteran administrator Tom Alila says the fallout could derail the nation’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. With a high-profile legal battle between FKF leadership and CEO Harold Ndege playing out in court, Alila is urging calm, internal resolution and a renewed focus on the grassroots that built Kenya’s footballing identity.
Courtroom Drama Overshadows the Pitch
The federation has been rocked by accusations of gross misconduct levelled by FKF president Hussein Mohammed against CEO Harold Ndege. Rather than settling the dispute behind closed doors, the matter has spilled into the courts — a development Alila believes is damaging Kenya’s image ahead of a major continental tournament.
“These wrangles are not good for Kenyan football at all; they need to take them out of court and sort them out internally,” Alila said, warning that protracted legal battles sap momentum and distract from the work that truly matters.
Reputation and Readiness at Risk
Alila warned that courtroom headlines paint a poor picture for a country preparing to co-host AFCON in 2027. He argued that legal wrangling delays decision-making, stalls projects and undermines confidence among sponsors, partners and fans — all at a time when unity and clarity are essential.
“Court cases always delay a lot of this when it comes to football progress in any country and I feel ahead of next year’s AFCON they paint a bad picture to the world,” he added.
Back to Basics: Grassroots as the Foundation
Beyond the governance row, Alila pressed the federation to return to fundamentals. He urged FKF to invest in school competitions and community programmes, arguing that the national team’s future depends on a healthy pipeline of youth talent.
“We need to go down to the basics; grassroots football should be the place to begin with school games. That is where the youth teams come from and the backbone of any national team so I feel the federation needs to do more,” he said, calling for a long-term vision that prioritises development over headlines.
Praise for Infrastructure, But More Work Needed
Despite his concerns, Alila praised government efforts to upgrade sporting facilities across the country. He singled out Talanta Stadium — alongside Nyayo and Kasarani — as a promising development that could lift the standard of domestic sport if completed on time.
“With this kind of facility, I think sports activities in the country will improve a lot,” the former FKF NEC member said, welcoming the investment while stressing that infrastructure must be matched by sound governance and grassroots programming.
A Call for Unity and Urgency
Alila’s message is simple and urgent: Kenya’s football future cannot be held hostage by internal disputes. With AFCON 2027 on the horizon, the federation must resolve its leadership crisis swiftly, protect the nation’s reputation and channel energy into the youth systems that will produce the stars of tomorrow. The clock is ticking, and the next moves will determine whether Kenya arrives at the continental stage stronger — or distracted.
