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Kimanzi has revealed three key things the new FKF office under Hussein Mohammed's leadership must adress if Kenya is to rise from the ashes as a footballing powerhouse.
Former Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi has urged newly elected Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed and his deputy McDonald Mariga to implement effective strategies that will unlock Kenya's football potential.
Hussein Mohammed, who also serves as Murang’a SEAL's Vice-Chairman, secured the presidency after a closely contested election held on Saturday. He garnered 67 votes in a rerun, surpassing the 50+1 majority threshold, while competitors Barry Otieno and Doris Petra each received a vote after withdrawing in the earlier round.
Speaking on the challenges ahead, Kimanzi emphasized that patience and strategic planning would be essential for the new administration:
“It’s a new office, and we must give them some time to assess what needs to be fixed. Football evolves rapidly, with new dynamics and technology shaping the game. Kenyan players need to embrace these advancements for development,” Kimanzi told Pulse Sports following Mohammed’s victory at Kasarani last Saturday.
Kimanzi also stressed the importance of collaboration with the central government, calling it a critical factor for success.
“Government support is vital in this arena. Without sufficient backing, the private sector may retreat, leaving the game hard hit. A teamwork approach is needed to bring stakeholders on board and get the game running.”
Kimanzi highlighted the dual need for improvements in football infrastructure—both physical and technical. He pointed out the importance of coach education programs and standardized structures to nurture talent.
“Every player deserves a good coach, irrespective of their level. We must continue building coaching capacity and ensure that development takes precedence over winning. This means focusing on every generation and creating measurable structures.”
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He commended the previous FKF administration under Nick Mwendwa for training over 28,000 youth coaches but added that more needs to be done:
“We’ve made strides in training youth coaches, but it’s still not enough. We need a leadership that can activate and measure existing structures while leveraging programs like the CBC curriculum to integrate football development in schools.”
Kimanzi also lamented the wasted opportunities in recent years, referencing Kenya's failure to qualify for three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments. He warned that continued stagnation could irreparably harm Kenya’s footballing future.
“Every wasted qualifier kills a generation. If we fail to align development with national targets, we will continue losing talent and fall short of producing players for the future.”
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Kenya’s co-hosting of the 2027 AFCON alongside Uganda and Tanzania offers a unique opportunity to rebuild. Kimanzi urged Mohammed’s leadership to focus on long-term planning to ensure the nation is prepared.
“We must maximize this moment of change. The kids watching today need to see tangible progress in the coming years. Celebrating change is good, but it must lead to actionable results that inspire future generations.”
As the FKF embarks on this new chapter, the expectations are high, with football enthusiasts hoping the leadership of Hussein Mohammed and McDonald Mariga can deliver the reforms needed to elevate Kenyan football on the global stage.
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