Engin Firat: Why Kenya Still Faces Ksh75 Million Pay Claim Despite Former Harambee Stars Coach’s Death

Former Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat passed away while pursuing a Ksh75 million compensation claim against FKF at FIFA, and his death does not mean Kenya has escaped the dispute.

The former Harambee Stars tactician was laid to rest in Antalya, Turkey on Tuesday after he suddenly died on Monday. Despite his passing, the legal battle he had initiated against Kenya remains unresolved and could still proceed.

Firat reportedly suffered a heart attack at Istanbul Airport while travelling back home. He had been leaving Lebanon, where he was managing Nejmeh SC — a club that features Kenyan players Masud Juma, Anthony Akumu and Austin Odhiambo — amid rising security concerns in the country.

Before his death, the 55-year-old coach, who handled Harambee Stars between 2021 and 2024, had already filed a case against the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) at FIFA over unpaid wages and breach of contract.

Through his legal team, Firat submitted a complaint to the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber in 2025 seeking compensation of up to Ksh75 million. The claim centered on unpaid salary arrears and damages linked to an alleged violation of his employment agreement.

Death of a Claimant Does Not Automatically End the Case

During his time in charge of Kenya’s national team, the Turkish coach had publicly raised concerns several times about delayed payments. His monthly salary was reportedly Ksh1.5 million, but he said the federation had failed to pay him for extended periods.

Frustrated by the situation, Firat resigned from his role in December 2024 and later moved to seek justice through FIFA’s legal channels.

Although his death occurred before the case could be concluded, legal experts say the matter does not simply disappear.

“A case does not automatically lapse upon the death of a claimant,” Kenyan sports lawyer Sarah Ochwada explained in an interview with Pulse Sports.

She noted that although FIFA regulations do not clearly outline procedures when a claimant dies, the governing body has procedural frameworks that allow an authorized representative to continue the case.

FIFA Procedures Apply When a Claimant Passes Away

According to Ochwada, disputes handled by the FIFA Football Tribunal follow the Procedural Rules Governing the Football Tribunal.

Key guidance is provided under Articles 18 and 19 of those regulations.

Article 18 allows claims to be submitted either by the concerned parties or by their authorized legal representatives. This provision establishes who has the right to represent a party during proceedings.

Meanwhile, Article 19 gives the FIFA Secretariat or the chairperson of the tribunal the authority to address procedural matters before the case itself is evaluated. This includes determining how the process should continue if circumstances change — such as the death of a claimant.

In Firat’s situation, this means that other parties, including his lawyers or estate representatives, could step in to continue pursuing the claim.

Firat’s Estate Could Still Benefit From Any Compensation

Ochwada further explained that employment-related claims, including unpaid salaries, are considered patrimonial rights. These rights form part of a deceased person’s estate and can therefore be pursued by legal heirs.

“Since employment-related claims such as unpaid salaries are patrimonial rights and form part of the deceased’s estate, the legal heirs, successors or representatives of the deceased may step into the proceedings and pursue the claim on behalf of the estate,” she said.

She added that FIFA may temporarily suspend proceedings to allow the claimant’s representatives to formally notify the tribunal of Firat’s death and provide documentation confirming their authority to continue with the case.

Once that procedural requirement is satisfied, the tribunal can resume the hearing and assess the dispute based on its merits.

If the case had already progressed significantly before Firat’s death, the tribunal could still deliver a ruling and potentially award compensation to his estate.