Ugandan among three arrested for match-fixing allegations in Kenya

KPL Ugandan among three arrested for match-fixing allegations in Kenya

Fred Mwambu 10:45 - 11.03.2023

The link, Omukoto, is serving a four-year FIFA ban for involving himself in acts of manipulating and fixing a game in 2019. He was banned alongside Ugandan player George Mandela who was banned for life from taking part in any football-related activities.

A Ugandan, a Russian and a Kenyan were arrested on Friday night in Nairobi, Kenya for allegedly involving themselves in acts of match-fixing.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) revealed the developments through a media release on Saturday morning.

“The federation wishes to thank the police and a section of FKF PL players who assisted in the arrest and detention of three individuals, amongst them a Kenyan and two foreigners involved in issuing bribes and match-fixing,” the federation said.

According to Kenyan publication Daily Nation, the three were identified as Akhiad Kubiev, a Russian, Martin Munga Mutua, a Kenyan and Ugandan Bernard Navendi.

The FKF chose not to confirm the identities of the three in their statement.

“Due to the sensitivity of the case, FKF will not be commenting further on the matter until investigations are concluded,” they said.

The three allegedly approached former footballer Festo Omukoto to aid fix a game between Nairobi City Stars versus Sofapaka slated for Saturday afternoon.

They are said to have been tipped Kshs. 30,000 (shs. 960,000) to cater for their transportation to the meeting venue and had been promised $14,000 (shs. 51 million) if the deal went through.

Omukoto, is serving a four-year FIFA ban for involving himself in acts of manipulating and fixing a game in 2019. 

He was banned alongside Ugandan player George Mandela who was banned for life from taking part in any football-related activities.

The trio reportedly wrote statements with police before being released.

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