McDonald Mariga: What is driving the former Harambee Stars captain into football leadership

Former Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga is positioning himself for a new chapter in his football journey, this time off the pitch.

The retired footballer has revealed his desire to run for the top seat at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

Mariga, who hung up his boots in 2021, has been seen with Extreme Sports Chief Executive Hussein Mohammed, who is also running for the position, ahead of the FKF elections set to take place later this year.

The reigning FKF Premier League most valuable player, who has earned three caps for the side, has picked up an untimely injury as Harambee Stars prepare for their double-header against Cameroon.

In a tweet that garnered mixed reactions, Mariga shared his motivations for seeking a leadership role at FKF.

«Football in Kenya gave me everything. Now, I’m ready to give back in a way that changes the game for future generations. The countdown begins,» he said.

Having spent the better part of his career playing in top European leagues, including stints at Inter Milan, Parma, and Real Sociedad, Mariga’s resume is filled with accolades that most Kenyan footballers can only dream of.

The pinnacle of his career came in 2010, when he became the first Kenyan to win the prestigious UEFA Champions League, alongside famed coach José Mourinho, as part of Inter Milan’s historic treble-winning squad.

After revelations that Ksh1 billion was spent on consultancy services for AFCON 2027, it has now emerged that the cost of upgrading two stadiums was inflated without any explanation.

Mariga’s football journey has given him not only accolades but also a deep understanding of the game at the highest level, knowledge he hopes to bring back home.

«I believe Kenyan football has the potential to grow to world-class standards,» Mariga noted in a recent interview.

«However, it needs proper leadership, one that understands the needs of the players, coaches, and fans.»

Mariga is not new to the public eye as after retiring from professional football, he ventured into politics, running for the Kibra parliamentary seat in 2019 and 2022, albeit unsuccessfully on both occasions.

His move into football leadership could be seen as a natural progression for someone who has always been passionate about making a difference in his community.

The son of Kenyan football great Noah Wanyama and elder brother to former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama, Mariga comes from a family deeply rooted in the sport.

Support for Mariga’s candidacy has been growing, with notable figures in Kenyan sports and politics backing his vision.

Irungu Nyakera, chairman of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), expressed his desire to see Mariga take the helm at FKF.

«I would love to see Mariga overseeing our football. With FKF elections coming up, let’s rally behind such experienced talent,» Nyakera stated.

Though Mariga has yet to make an official declaration about his candidacy, his increasing involvement in the football community and his alignment with Hussein Mohammed has made it clear that he is positioning himself as a serious contender.

His vision for Kenyan football is simple but profound—give back to the game that gave him everything, and ensure that future generations of Kenyan footballers have the opportunities he had, if not more.