Man Arrested For Trying To Fix Kenya’s Top-Flight Match

A Ugandan national has been arrested in Kenya for allegedly attempting to fix a Kenyan Premier League match involving Western Stima and KCB, it was revealed last night.

Officers from Kisumu Central Police Station arrested the suspect at a local hotel after they were tipped off by Western Stima chairman Laban Jobita about the man who was attempting to convince four players to lose the game.

The police did not name the man, who is expected to face charges, according to a release sent to several media houses. Reports indicate that a Uganda Broadcasting Corporation journalist turned football agent was put in police custody.

The man had promised to pay $5000 once the deal goes through as planned after paying $100 as a down payment.

“The said manager informed the accused that he needed to discuss the matter with his players but proceeded to report the matter at the station,” the report from the Police stated as quoted by Capital FM.

“Police officers disguised themselves as players and accompanied the repartee and several players to the hotel where they informed the suspect that they had agreed to fix the match. The suspect gave out Sh10,000 purportedly being lunch pending payment of USD5,000 upon successfully losing the game.”

The investigation is continuing with the suspected expected to be presented in court on Monday, according to the release.

Match-fixing has emerged as the biggest threat to the integrity of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) in recent years.

Moses Chikati, Festus Okiring and Festo Omoto who turned out for Kakamega Homeboyz a couple of years ago have earned the wanted distinction of being the poster boys of the vice after being banned for four years each.

The four were caught with hard evidence in terms of text messages and they also could not prove the source of funds when quizzed after their financial statements were obtained.

Former teammate and Uganda national, George Mandela, who at one time was the epitome of a consummate KPL professional, received a lifetime ban.

Two years ago, former Mathare United defender George Owino was banned for 10 years and slapped with a CHF 15,000 (about Sh1.5million) fine after he was found guilty by FIFA of match-fixing.