Football in Kenya will continue to benefit from the FIFA Forward development funding. In a letter dated December 15, FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee (GACC) informed FKF General Secretary Harold Ndege that the funding would be restarted, with immediate effect.
FIFA froze the funding in February 2022 due to government interference in the running affairs of the FKF. In November 2021, the Kenyan Government dissolved FKF’s elected leadership over concerns about financial mismanagement, governance shortcomings and accountability.
FIFA doesn’t allow national governments to interfere in the running of national FAs.
In November 2022, the suspension was lifted after the caretaker committee stepped aside, yet FIFA maintained heightened oversight.
Now the funding has been reinstated, FKF will report to FIFA on a monthly basis until the next FIFA GACC meeting next year. That meeting is scheduled for March 2026.
FIFA Forward
The FIFA Forward Programme is FIFA’s main development programme, aimed at strengthening football worldwide and making it more accessible for everyone. Its purpose is to reinvest FIFA’s revenue back into football development in all FIFA member countries.
The programme focuses on:
- Investing in football development from grassroots to international level
- Creating greater impact through projects that are locally relevant
- Increasing investment in infrastructure, competitions, education, technical staff, and women’s football
- Improving governance, transparency, and financial oversight
FIFA Forward funds can be used for:
- Construction or renovation of football pitches, training centres, and stadiums
- Establishing national competitions for youth, amateur, and women’s football
- Operational costs of football associations, including training activities and administration
- Travel expenses and equipment for national teams, especially in smaller associations
- Education and capacity building for coaches, referees, and football administrators