Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has lodged a petition contesting Harambee Stars’ contentious exit from the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) quarterfinals at the hands of Madagascar.

The case has already been lodged in Cairo, Egypt within 48 hrs as required and served to the relevant authorities, including Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Madagascar national team, and Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

In a sworn affidavit filed on Sunday, Sonko is requesting interim orders to halt the penalty shootout results that saw Madagascar eliminate Kenya. He contends that two of Kenya’s goals were unjustly disallowed, unfairly robbing the national team of the opportunity to advance.

In his petition, Sonko is asking the court to suspend the decision that disallowed Kenya’s two goals against Madagascar, nullify the results of the penalty shootout, and halt the upcoming semi-final fixture between Madagascar and Sudan scheduled for August 26, 2025, until his complaint is heard. He is also demanding that the match officials who handled the Kenya-Madagascar clash be suspended from officiating any further matches until the matter is conclusively determined.

“I swear this affidavit urging that the application for interim provisional measures herein be allowed as prayed,” Sonko stated in the affidavit.

The outspoken former governor maintains that the credibility of the tournament will be compromised if the disputed match outcome is upheld. His lawyers are pushing for an expedited hearing before the semi-finals begin in two days.

Sonko had promised Harambee Stars KSh 400 Million if they won CHAN 2024.

Kenya bowed out of the competition after a fiercely contested match, with both fans and players voicing divided opinions over the refereeing decisions. The petition has now introduced a dramatic turn to CHAN 2025, leaving football authorities, teams, and supporters on edge as they await the court’s ruling.