Suspected Match-Fixer Released By Kenyan Court

A Ugandan man detained for more than two weeks under suspicion of attempting to fix a Kenyan Premier League match was ordered to be released on Monday by the country’s High Court after the complainant decided not to pursue the matter.

Niwagira Ronald Mwine Fred had been arrested on 24 January in Kisumu and charged with attempting to fix a Kenyan Premier League match involving Western Stima and KCB.

Western Stima chairman Laban Jobita had accused Niwagira of trying to convince four of his team players to lose the game. The accused had offered to pay $5000 once the deal goes through as planned after paying $100 as a down payment.

But the charges were dropped this afternoon after Investigating Officer Benedict Kwanza told the Kisumu court’s Senior Resident Magistrate Winfrida Onkunya that Jobita had decided not to pursue the matter.

“I want to tell the court that the complainant has decided not to pursue the matter further. We, therefore, request for the miscellaneous file to be closed,” Kwanza told the court as per Capital FM.

Niwagira had been remanded in Kisumu as per the request of the investigative officer so that DCI officers can complete the investigations before the suspect can take a plea.

The former Uganda Broadcasting Corporation journalist turned football agent had also been found in possession of more Ksh 61,600 (USD 610) in cash.

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

Former Kenyan international George Owino was banned by FIFA from football-related matters for 10 years after he was found guilty of an attempt to try and manipulate international matches.