Match fixing is officially a huge problem in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.
Players have turned it into a money-making machine in their careers with a majority of them always pocketing as much as Ksh 150,000 per player depending on the games.
The fight against match-fixing in Kenyan football is gaining momentum, with a passionate appeal from Vihiga Bullets coach, George Owoko, at its forefront. George Owoko, who is currently serving his second stint as the club’s coach, following his reappointment in August, has set a crucial mission for himself: to guide his team back to the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) without delay.
The previous season witnessed Vihiga’s unfortunate relegation from the top-flight league to the National Super League (NSL), a consequence of a series of poor performances largely attributed to a financial crisis that plagued the club. Nonetheless, George Owoko is now concerned that match-fixing, a pervasive issue in Kenyan football, could hinder his efforts to secure a prompt return to the FKF-PL.
Sam Nyamweya’s Pledge to Eradicate Match-Fixing
Adding to the discourse, former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president, Sam Nyamweya, has pledged to eliminate match-fixing from the sport, should he be granted a second opportunity to lead the organization. A seasoned football administrator and the patron of the top-tier club Shabana FC, Nyamweya has officially declared his intent to run for the FKF presidency in the upcoming elections.
He emphatically stated, “Match-fixing cases have proliferated in Kenya, with the most recent incident gaining attention on social media. Vihiga Bullets’ head coach, Charles Owoko, was seen exposing an individual he suspected of trying to manipulate one of their lower-division league matches.”
Combatting Match-Fixing
Nyamweya continued, “Imagine paying to watch a match that has already been fixed, a match where certain individuals are privy to the outcome in advance. I want to assure Kenyans that I will make match-fixing a relic of the past if I am re-elected. It will be my top priority when I assume office, and I will work with the Parliament to enact legislation that criminalizes this vice. Under my leadership, such activities will not be tolerated, and I will ensure that stringent laws are put in place to apprehend those involved.”
Instances of match-fixing have been on the rise in recent years, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue. In 2022, police arrested four individuals in Nairobi, including two foreigners, suspected of attempting to manipulate a league match featuring Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League side City Stars and Sofapaka.
A year prior, a Ugandan national was apprehended in Kisumu on suspicion of attempting to influence the outcome of a football match involving Western Stima.
Please help me fight match-fixing, cries Vihiga Bullets coach Owokohttps://t.co/JpffzeQ5LP
— Nation Africa (@NationAfrica) October 4, 2023
