A Special General Meeting set up by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in Meru faced chaos after tear gas was fired by police causing delegates to run out of the venue.

The meeting in the Three Steers Hotel where members of the General Assembly had assembled for a 9am start saw officers storm the venue of the Police Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU). Tear gas was fired in the meeting hall.

In a statement, the football body said the meeting had “yet to commence due to an incident involving a break-in by Police Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) officers into the venue resulting in teargas being fired in the meeting room by the RDU.”

“The FKF Special General Meeting (SGM) is yet to commence following an incident in which officers from the Police Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) moved into the meeting venue and discharged teargas into the meeting room, where delegates were seated awaiting the start of proceedings,” said FKF.

Video circulated online shows canisters of tear gas fired in to the meeting room. More teargas was reportedly fired outside as officers attempted to clear people gathered. Security was put in place amid mounting tension as more than 100 youths were reported gather at the hotel and people were occupying parts of the area.

FKF Deputy President McDonald Mariga arrived to the venue with a large police escort from the RDU. Video shows him walking in to the hotel with police. Earlier, he claimed he was attacked by delegates and pelted with stones.

“We have to get the delegates who have been pelted with stones and chased away by goons as they attempted to access the Special General Meeting (SGM) venue; they are still outside,” Mariga told the officers on scene.

However no evidence has surfaced into the claims of attacking and who was responsible.

The confusion comes at an important time for football in Kenya as the meeting would have seen a discussion on the actions of seven members of the FKF’s National Executive Committee (NEC), including Mariga. The meeting was called by members of the General Assembly, as outlined in the federations constitution. It was set to discuss issues caused by the current disputes.

As outlined in the FKF constitution, at least two thirds of delegates present must agree to remove one of the NEC members. Those expected to see their actions discussed include Mariga, Women Representative Kerubo Momanyi and regional representatives Dan Shikanda, Gabriel Mghendi, Collins Opiyo Kalee, Robert Macharia and Bernard Lagat.

The meeting would have had large implications for how the FKF leadership team is set up. There have been clear divisions between FKF President Hussein Mohammed and some members of the NEC with Mariga becoming a focal point.

The recent incident comes after months of tension.

In April 2026, a group of NEC members passed resolutions to suspend FKF President Hussein Mohammed and two other officials over a controversial 42.48 Million Shilling insurance deal over the 2024 African Nations Championship. This led to Mariga being named as acting president.

However, these resolutions were halted by the Sports Disputes Tribunal. FIFA also refused the suspensions as they did not follow the FKF Constitution. This has caused ongoing problems for the federation.

The confusion on Saturday came after an altercation took place on Friday between an FKF NEC member and 2 branch chairmen. The two had arrived at Three Steers Hotel to inspect the progress of the Special General Meeting but were confronted by a group from Nairobi. This led to a scuffle where several people were injured.

On Saturday morning a large police presence was set up around the venue as delegates and other football stakeholders arrived. Representatives from FIFA, CAF and the government were expected to attend. However the operation stopped any discussions taking place.

The problems mean any issues to be discussed cannot take place. FKF did not give further details on why the RDU were at the venue. However, said they would give further updates.