)
Mariga, who strongly criticised FKF under the previous incumbency of Nick Mwendwa for neglecting player welfare issues -including giving national team players a mere 750 shillings a day - is now the Vice President of the federation.
Former Harambee Stars defender and current Kenya Footballers’ Welfare Association (KEFWA) president, James Situma, has expressed optimism about the positive impact of the new Football Kenya Federation (FKF) regime led by chairman Hussein Mohammed.
Situma believes the inclusion of FKF vice president McDonald Mariga—a former international midfielder and UEFA Champions League winner—will bring much-needed improvements to player welfare.
Situma highlighted challenges under the previous FKF leadership, chaired by Nick Mwendwa, describing a strained relationship that hindered KEFWA’s efforts to advocate for players.
)
13:00 - 11.11.2023
'The players only earn Ksh.750 a day!' McDonald Mariga decries Harambee Stars players’ welfare
Mariga has revealed that the Football Kenya Federation owes him a lot of money, giving an example of how he had to cater for both his and Ismael Gonzalez’s traveling and accommodation expenses to honor a Harambee Stars game once.
“We had quite a lot of challenges with the previous regime,” Situma told Pulse Sports. “The relationship was not okay, and they felt we were overstepping our mandate, but we were just trying to ensure players' issues were addressed.”
Situma believes Mariga’s experience as a professional footballer will make a difference. "Having Mariga, someone I’ve played with in the national team, is promising. He understands the struggles of players firsthand—like going to the national team without allowances—and now he’s in a position to influence change."
Beyond addressing immediate welfare issues, Situma emphasised the importance of consistency in youth football programs.
Although 2024 saw Kenya U-17 women make history by becoming the first ever national side to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, as well as the U-20 side qualifying for the 2025 AFCON, the former AFC Leopards, Tusker and Sofapaka man has challenged the new regime to emphasise on the grassroots in order to untap more talents.
"We need to focus on youth structures and ensure they are playing regularly. Grassroots tournaments have been successful, and with support from stakeholders, this can be expanded to build a strong foundation for the future," he explained.
Mariga’s criticism of past welfare failiures
Mariga, now FKF vice president, has been a vocal critic of the previous regime, sharing his own struggles with player welfare during his playing days. In a 2023 interview with Radio 47, he recounted instances where players had to pay their own travel and accommodation expenses to honor national team call-ups.
“It’s been very different across regimes,” Mariga said. “Under Nick Mwendwa, players earned as little as Ksh. 750 a day for national duty, regardless of being local or foreign-based. Even my brother Victor Wanyama confirmed this to me. During Sam Nyamweya’s presidency, allowances were higher, with local-based players earning Ksh. 10,000 daily while on international assignments.”
Mariga stressed that such poor remuneration has demoralized players, making it difficult for them to perform at their best. “We blame players and judge them too harshly, yet they barely earn enough to stay motivated,” he said.
)
06:42 - 13.12.2024
Harambee Stars: 5 potential candidates to replace departed Engin Firat
Harambee Stars are without a coach following the resignation of Engin Firat but who are the names likely to take over from the Turkish tactician?
The combination of Mariga’s leadership and Hussein Mohammed’s chairmanship has given Situma and KEFWA hope for a brighter future. With promises of improved financial accountability and structural reforms, the football fraternity is looking forward to a new era where player welfare takes center stage.
“The time to press the button is now,” Situma concluded. “With the current leadership, I’m confident we can push players' agendas effectively and create a system that supports the growth of Kenyan football.”
)
07:33 - 15.10.2024
How Mariga plans to use exposure gained from playing for Inter Milan, Real Sociedad & Co to revolutionise Kenyan football
Former Harambee Stars and Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga has explained how he will use the experience he gained from playing in Europe to revolutionise Kenyan football.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)