Kenya: Federation cracks down on match-fixing
Kenya is cracking down on match-fixing. The federation has announced the suspension of 15 people who have been identified.
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Kenya has decided to come down hard. Following allegations of match-fixing, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) launched an investigation, and it has now delivered its findings. As a result, 15 people have been suspended by the federation. They include two coaches but, above all, 13 players. Among them is Isaac Kipyegon, who plays for the reigning champions Tusker FC. It should also be noted that the players named all play in the country's top three divisions.
To carry out its inquiries, the FKF relied on discretion. Confidential reports backed up the guilt of some of the football figures in Kenya who were under suspicion. "In an effort to protect the integrity of the league, in line with the federation's zero-tolerance policy on match-fixing, the federation has, with immediate effect, provisionally suspended the following individuals pending investigations into the matter by FIFA and the FKF integrity department", explained FKF secretary general Barry Otieno in a statement relayed by BBC Sport Africa.
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Otieno went on: "All FKF members are advised to avoid any form of sporting contact with the above-mentioned individuals during their period of suspension". It is also worth pointing out that this is not the first time match-fixing has been rife in Kenyan football. In 2020, four players were banned for life by the FKF for taking part in an "international conspiracy" aimed at fixing league matches. Five referees were also shown the door.
The 15 people suspended
Willis Ochieng Oganyo - Coach, Zetech University
Hamidu Kwizera Lucas - Former player, Zoo FC
Vincent Misikhu - Former player, Zoo FC
Sammy Sindani Sabiri - Player, Silibwet Leons FC
Michael Idovolo Madoya - Former player, Nairobi City Stars FC
Johnstone Ligare - Former player, Zoo FC
Geoffrey Gichana - Player, Zoo FC
Dominic Ouma Okoth - Player, Kericho Rovers FC
Isaac Kipyegon - Player, Tusker FC
Stanslaus Akiya Munyasa - Player, Silibwet Leons FC
William Odunga - Player, Silibwet Leons FC
Daniel Kiptoo - Former player, Zoo FC
Brian Lumumba - Player, Zoo FC
Du Monde Selenga Mangili - Coach, Kericho FC
Dennis Monda - Former player, Vihiga United