A fresh corruption storm is engulfing Kenyan football after revelations that Sh42.4 million allocated for insurance during the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) may have been irregularly paid to an unlicensed firm.
EACC Launches Probe
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched investigations into the transaction, with early findings raising concerns over procurement irregularities, regulatory breaches, and possible loss of public funds.
Questionable Payment to Unlicensed Firm
Documents show the funds, processed on August 4, 2025, were transferred from accounts linked to the Football Kenya Federation to Riskwell Insurance Brokers Limited.
The company, however, had only been registered on June 25, 2025, and was reportedly not licensed to operate as an insurance broker at the time—an issue confirmed by the Insurance Regulatory Authority.
Operating without proper licensing is a criminal offence under Kenyan law.
Concerns Over Insurance Coverage
The payment has raised doubts about whether Kenya’s CHAN team and tournament operations were ever covered by valid insurance.
Under requirements set by the Confederation of African Football, host nations must secure at least $30 million (about Sh4 billion) in civil liability insurance through licensed brokers.
The involvement of an unlicensed intermediary now puts compliance with this requirement into question.
Procurement Irregularities Emerge
Internal correspondence from former FKF CEO Harold Ndege indicates that quotations had been obtained from established insurers, including Takaful Insurance, Old Mutual, and Britam.
Britam reportedly submitted the lowest bid at Sh29.1 million—significantly lower than the Sh42.4 million eventually paid.
There is no documented explanation for bypassing the competitive bidding process in favour of a more expensive, unlicensed firm.
FKF Leadership Under Pressure
The scandal has placed FKF President Hussein Mohamed and CHAN Local Organising Committee chairman Nicholas Musonye under growing scrutiny.
Efforts to reach Hussein for comment were unsuccessful, while Musonye indicated he would respond upon returning to the country.
Timing Raises Stakes
The controversy comes at a critical time as Kenya prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), raising concerns about governance, transparency, and preparedness in the country’s football administration.
Broader Implications
The unfolding scandal highlights persistent challenges in sports governance, particularly around financial accountability and adherence to procurement laws, as investigators work to establish responsibility and possible legal action.
