Africa-Press – Kenya. Football Kenya Federation has launched investigations into the conduct of five individuals suspected of match-fixing.
On Friday, the local governing body cautioned the public against interacting with the quintet of three referees, a player, and a team manager.
“Football Kenya Federation wishes to inform all its members and the general public that the FKF Integrity Department has opened investigations into alleged match-fixing involvement by Meshack Omondi (referee), Jacqueline Barongo (referee), Stephen Adeya (referee), Kevin Otieno Olang’o (FC Talanta player) and Abdulkarim Amele (Kibra United Team Manager),” the statement read in part.
The five were purportedly found culpable of the offence during the Kenyan Premier League clash between FC Talanta and Nairobi City Stars at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos a fortnight ago, which City Stars won 3-0.
As the match progressed, the referee awarded three penalties, two of which Talanta squandered and one that City Stars converted through their forward Bajaber Mohamed.
“In light of these allegations, the above-named individuals have been provisionally suspended from all football-related activities with immediate effect,” the statement continued.
FKF said the suspension would remain in force until the investigations are concluded and a determination made.
“Consequently, FKF has directed all its members and the general public not to have any form of sporting contact with the suspended individuals,” read the statement. “No further details will be provided at this stage as the matter is pending hearing and determination by the FKF Disciplinary Committee.”
This is not the first time the federation has cracked the whip on errant officials over such incidents.
In 2021, Raymond Onyango, Samuel Mwaura, Isaac Memusi, Collins Opiyo and Japheth Juma were all slapped with a similar ban. In 2023, top-tier referees, Tony Kidiya, Nyabera Libese, Boniface Gikonyo and Hassan Omondi faced similar accusations.
On May 25 last year, the world football governing body, Fifa, expelled Zoo from the topflight league over match-fixing.
A strong statement signed by the chairman of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee, Alejandro Peira ordered FKF to relegate Zoo to the lower tier.
“The Fifa Disciplinary Committee finds the club Zoo FC responsible for activities related to manipulation of football matches and competitions. The club Zoo is hereby expelled from the Kenyan Premier League season 2020/2021 as of the date of notification of the present decision.
“The Fifa Disciplinary Committee hereby orders relegation of the first team
of the club Zoo FC to the FKF Division One for the next season. FKF communicated Fifa’s decision to Zoo through a letter signed by chief executive officer, Barry Otieno.
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