Prison cells await those who sell the game after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed has served a blistering warning to rogue elements poisoning local football, declaring that Kenya is closing in on comprehensive legislation to criminalise match-fixing and slap convicted culprits behind bars.
Speaking as a landmark anti-fixing bill reaches the public participation stage in the Senate, Mohammed pulled no punches, calling the vice a malignant cancer eating away at the sport globally.
“The fundamental objective is to criminalise match-fixing and match manipulation so that from now on, if you get involved, you risk severe penalties, including jail once convicted,” Mohammed said.
The crackdown comes as African football faces a relentless assault from sophisticated international syndicates. Capitalizing on economic vulnerabilities, underfunded lower tier leagues, and a booming online betting market, fixers have systematically targeted cash strapped players, match officials, and club administrators.
Kenya has painfully tasted the bitter pill of this crisis. The domestic game has reeled from high-profile scandals, highlighted by the dramatic expulsion and relegation of Zoo Kericho FC and Muhoroni Youth over systemic manipulation. Even the pride of the nation, the Harambee Stars, has not escaped unscathed, battered by FIFA bans and investigations into compromised international fixtures.
Yet, Mohammed insists that legislation alone will not win the war. The FKF boss points to a multi pronged offensive targeting the financial desperation that leaves referees and players easy prey for syndicates.
In a direct move to plug systemic leaks, the federation has moved aggressively to clear crippling salary arrears for match officials.
“We made sure we did everything as FKF to pay arrears of referees so that there’s no excuse when it comes to remuneration,” Mohammed asserted.
Complementing timely pay packets is a rigorous push for continuous capacity building. By arming referees with elite training, enhanced competency, and modern tools, FKF aims to fortify the psychological armour of officials working the line under intense pressure.
While admitting that the rot will not vanish overnight, the federation’s leadership has drawn a hard line in the sand.
“It’s not a problem that can go away overnight, but we must fight it with everything we have,” Mohammed said. “We must call out match fixers. We must take stern action against anybody trying to manipulate matches.”