Match-fixing in football has become a persistent problem in Kenya, as evidenced by the recent arrest of three individuals attempting to fix a game between Nairobi City Stars and Sofapaka.
According to reports, the trio, a Kenyan, Russian, and Ugandan, were arrested after meeting with City Stars players and an official to arrange for the team to concede two goals in a match. However, the group had been set up and were apprehended immediately.
The players involved were to receive a sum of Kes. 1.8 million ($14,000) if the deal went through, with each player receiving Kes. 30,000 as transport to the venue. While the arrest of the fixers is a victory for anti-corruption efforts in football, it is a reminder that match-fixing remains a significant problem in the country.
Earlier this year, Tusker FC right-back Isaac Kipyegon was suspended, alongside 15 other players, over match-fixing allegations. In response, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) launched an investigation into the matter, suspending the suspects and initiating inquiries into their actions.
The Federation’s statement read, “Football Kenya Federation has received confidential reports alleging the involvement of various players and officials in match-fixing activities…to protect the integrity of the league, in line with the Federation’s zero-tolerance policy match-fixing, the Federation has with immediate effect provisionally suspended the individuals pending the investigations of the matter by the FIFA & FKF’s integrity department.”
The list of suspended individuals includes coaches, former players, and current players, with Zoo FC being the team most adversely affected, as six of their former players were listed. The team had previously been demoted from the Kenyan Premier League over match-fixing allegations, and FIFA subsequently relegated them from the National Super League.
FIFA has also imposed a Sh6m fine on Zoo FC, payable within 30 days, failing which the team will be subjected to a transfer ban and locked out of all competitions both locally and internationally. While these actions are a step towards combating match-fixing in Kenya, more needs to be done to address the root causes of the issue and prevent future occurrences.
