Football Kenya Federation (FKF) suspended 14 players and two coaches for match-fixing after receiving a tip-off about cheating in the national league.
Among those suspended Friday were six players from Zoo Kericho FC, which was found guilty of match-fixing by FIFA’s integrity unit in 2021 and expelled from the Kenyan Premier League.
Tusker defender Isaac Kipyegon tops the list of those suspended.
Others are; Mike Madoya, Kericho FC head coach Du Monde Selenga Mangili, and former goalie and goalkeepers’ trainer Willis Ochieng’.
Sammy Sindani, Akiya Munyasa, William Odunga(all of Silibwet Leons), are also in the list and so are Hamidu Kwizera Lucas, Vincent Misikhu, John Ligare, Geoffrey Gichana, Daniel Kiptoo and Brian Lumumba.
Also in the list of shame is Dennis Monda, and Domnic Ouma.
The federation said it had suspended those accused, including one player from reigning Kenyan premiership side Tusker, until the matter was formally investigated.
“Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has received confidential reports alleging the involvement of various players and officials in match fixing activities,” it said in a statement.
“In an effort to protect the integrity of the league… the federation has with immediate effect provisionally suspended these individuals pending the investigations of the matter by the FIFA and FKF integrity department.”
Meanwhile, one of the accused persons, Dennis Monda, a former player of Vihiga United, has taken to his Facebook to plead innocence, saying his only sin was to be seen by an official of FKF in the company of Raymond Onyango, a neighbor, friend, and referee, who was serving a suspension over match-fixing.
“If I was accused of having the wrong company and the same company is still a referee in Kenya….don’t look for a weakling to show that you are working.
The people involved in match-fixing are free, but you are okay with accusing an innocent person. If you find me guilty, then I should not even be allowed anywhere close to any footballing activity, but till then be a man and dig deeper and find the truth.”
Elsewhere,
FC inflicted more misery on AFC Leopards, beating them 2-1 in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League, FKFPL match played at Muhoroni Stadium on Saturday.
Ingwe as Leopards are headed into the tie against a backdrop of a heavy 4-1 loss to Bidco United last weekend and needed to redeem themselves, but Got Alila only had more pain for them in store.
Victor Omune put them ahead with a well worked goal in the 22nd, but the lead could only last a few minutes as the hosts leveled in the 37th minute through Clinton.
The game was settled at 1-1 at half time.
Wazito, who picked their first win of the season in a 2-1 win at Vihiga Bullets on Wednesday, came back stronger in the final stanza. Their persistent forward forays were rewarded with a penalty after Leopards player was adjudged to have handled in the box with Neto stepping up to convert from the spot.
Ingwe had their chance also from the spot with just two minutes left, but Omurwa’s was punched to safety.
The match had a tense ending with the visitors feeling cheated with unfair refereeing, but the security personnel were on standby to ensure peace.
Leopards have now recorded only two wins in eight games; losing four and drawing two. Meanwhile, Wazito, who started the season late, have recorded an equal number of wins, a draw and two losses.
Meanwhile, Leopards arch rivals Gor Mahia recorded their second successive win, edging out Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0 at the Bukhungu Stadium. The lone goal was scored by defender Lloyd Khavuchi.
