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McDonald Mariga has given reasons why he feels he is the right man to take Kenyan football forward after throwing his hat in the ring for the presidency.
Former Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga has big plans for Kenyan football after entering the race for the top seat in the Kenya Football Federation (FKF) elections.
In an announcement that came after weeks of speculation, Mariga confirmed that he will run for either the presidency or vice presidency, following consultations with supporters and stakeholders from across the country.
“I have been forced to enter the FKF race following wide consultations with my supporters and other stakeholders in soccer from various parts of the country,” said Mariga during an address at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).
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His candidacy adds to a competitive field that already includes prominent names such as Super 8 Tournament organiser Hussein Mohammed and US-based former footballer Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino. Mariga, who had previously hinted at aligning with Mohammed, chose to pursue the race on his own, declaring, “That is where my passion is, and I can do a good job there.”
A product of the Copa Coca-Cola School Games, Mariga’s football journey saw him rise through the ranks in Kenya, playing for local clubs such as Tusker and Kenya Pipeline before moving to Europe, where he featured for Swedish side Helsingborg and later secured a high-profile move to Italy.
Mariga's biggest achievement came in 2010 when he was part of Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan squad that won the Italian league title, Coppa Italia, and UEFA Champions League in a historic treble.
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Mariga, who also had stints at Parma and Spain's Real Sociedad, expressed a strong desire to revitalise grassroots football in Kenya, specifically focusing on secondary and university leagues.
“I emerged from the secondary school games. Back then, it used to be a big tournament. I have not been keeping track of it, but I want to make sure that we will incorporate university and secondary school leagues should we take charge of FKF,” Mariga explained, emphasising the need to focus on nurturing young talent.
Mariga also highlighted the importance of utilising available infrastructure, noting that while major venues like Bukhungu Stadium will be key, school grounds should be prioritised for youth football development.
“There are schools with grounds. For now, we have to prioritise using the school grounds. Bukhungu Stadium will only be ready in time for AFCON. We have to get things in order to help those boys coming through to grow.”
Other notable candidates for the FKF presidency are Gor Mahia Secretary General Sam Ocholla, former FKF Chief Executive Lordvick Aduda and former FKF president Sam Nyamweya
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