Match-fixing claims rock Kenyan football again as three arrested; FKF talks tough

The suspects - Russian Akhiad Kubiev, Ugandan Bernard Navendi and Kenyan Martin Munga Mutua- intended to influence a Kenyan Premier League match involving Nairobi City Stars and Sofapaka set for Saturday afternoon in Nairobi.

Confirming the development, FKF chief executive officer Barry Otieno said the trio are in custody and will be arraigned on Monday.

"There is a Russian and two Ugandans,” Otieno said, adding that, “Basically they wanted to manipulate the match between City Stars and Sofapaka which is set to be played today. They had indicated that they would pay 1.4 million shillings to be shared among City Stars players.

"We are happy that these players then reported to their CEO[Patrick Korir] who then took action with the help of security agencies. Later on in the day I will go to the police station and see whether they can be taken to court,” he said, adding that “they hope to have the three produced in court on Monday.

Otieno however added that the federation will be pushing to have the case referred to International Court of Arbitration for Sports as “there are no laws dealing with match-fixing in Kenya”.

“The only challenge remains that we do not have laws in place to prosecute individuals involved in match fixing, that's why we are not only working with local authorities but I have requested this matter be referred to International Court.”

In a separate statement to newsrooms, FKF moved to assure the public of its intent to protect the reputation and integrity of the game.

“The federation wishes to reassure all football stakeholders and the general public of its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of all its leagues and competitions and has established with the assistance of FIFA and local clubs an elaborate system to assist in detecting, preventing and reporting match manipulation activities. Due to the sensitivity of the case, FKF will not be commenting further on the matter until investigations are concluded,” Otieno said. 

Claims of match-fixing has been rife in Kenya. Last month, on February 8, FKF launched probe against then Mathare United players  Lennox Ogutu  and Alphonce Ndonye over similar  claims, with the club suspending them.

“FKF wishes to inform your good office that it has opened investigations into the allegations touching on both players and requests you furnish the FKF Integrity Department with the official contact details inclusive of known email addresses and telephone numbers of Mr Ogutu and Mr Ndonye,” read part of the statement signed by Michael Kamure, the Head of FKF Integrity Department.

“Meanwhile in an effort to protect the integrity of the game during this investigation period, we wish to inform you that we have regrettably suspended both Mr Ogutu and Mr Ndonye from all football related activities until the matter is concluded,” FKF said back then.

In February 2021, Ugandan Ronald Mugisha was arrested at a Kisumu hotel for allegedly trying to fix the FKF-PL match pitting Western Stima against KCB. Stima chairman Laban Jobita raised alarm leading to the arrests but the suspects were later freed without  charges preferred.