James Situma on the integral role ex-Harambee Stars teammate McDonald Mariga will play in transforming Kenyan football

Former Harambee Stars defender has expressed confidence in ’s ability to revolutionize Kenyan football following his election as Football Kenya Federation (FKF) vice president.

 Mariga, who will work alongside newly elected FKF president Hussein Mohammed, brings a wealth of experience from his illustrious playing career.

Mariga, the first Kenyan to win the in 2010 with under, now takes on the challenge of steering Kenyan football toward a brighter future. Having also played for Real Sociedad, Parma, and the Kenyan national team—earning 40 caps and scoring five goals—Mariga has both local and international insights to offer.

Situma, who now serves as the president of the Kenya Footballers’ Welfare Association (KEFWA), believes Mariga’s transition from player to administrator positions him uniquely to address players’ issues and contribute meaningfully to the sport’s growth.

Otieno conceded defeat as the second round of the presidential election was going on, rendering the result a formality, and it now means Hussein Mohammed will be the new FKF President.

“Everyone feels that we have a new breath of fresh air. It’s like we’ve won as a football community,” Situma told

Situma highlighted the renewed optimism among fans and players, who are now dreaming of improved leagues, better players, and a stronger national team. 

He emphasized the importance of change, saying, “At times, change is a must. The people have spoken, and we just hope for the best.”

Situma acknowledged past challenges with the previous FKF regime, citing strained relationships that hindered progress. However, he sees Mariga as a bridge to improving the welfare of players.

“With Mariga in, someone I’ve played with, I believe the relationship will be fair. He’s been in the same shoes as a player—going to national team camps without allowances—and now he’s in a position to influence change,” Situma noted.

He urged Mariga to leverage his experience in developed leagues to push for structural improvements, saying, “He knows what good structures look like. We may not replicate European standards immediately, but we can start somewhere.”

Situma emphasized that the time for talk is over and that the real work begins now.

Victor Wanyama and McDonald Mariga have allowed the world access to a multimillion-dollar football academy project they are putting up in Western Kenya dubbed the 'Wanyama Football Academy'.

 “This is the time to press the button. You’re in charge; you have to influence decisions and ensure everything is okay,” he said, adding that Mariga’s experiences in elite football give him the tools to make a lasting impact.

With Situma’s support and Mariga’s first-hand understanding of players’ needs, Kenyan football enthusiasts are hopeful that the new FKF leadership will deliver much-needed reforms and restore pride in the nation’s favorite sport.

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.