FKF hands 3 referees provisional suspension over match-fixing reports

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has cracked the whip, suspended three referees and a player, and opened an investigation over their reported involvement in match-fixing.

One player from Nairobi City Stars, Kevin Otieno Olang’o, and Kibera United team manager, Abdulkarim Amele, have also been provisionally suspended as they undergo investigation.

“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 the following individuals:

“Referees are Meshack Omondi, Jacqueline Barongo, and Stephen Adeya. FC Talanta keeper Kevin Olang’o and Kibra United team manager Abdulkarim Amele,” FKF’s statement revealed.

The affected are set not to be involved in any soccer activities until they are cleared after an investigation.

“In light of these allegations, the above-named individuals have been provisionally suspended from all football-related activities with immediate effect. This suspension will remain in force until the investigations are concluded and a determination is made by the FKF Disciplinary Committee,” 

“Consequently, FKF has directed all its members and the general public not to have any form of sporting contact with the suspended individuals. No further details will be provided at this stage as the matter is pending hearing and determination by the FKF Disciplinary Committee,” the statement added.

The suspension of the officials comes at a time when the federation is keen on ending match-fixing claims, especially in the Premier League. 

This is not the first time the federation is suspending officials, as a precedent was recently set when Raymond Onyango, Samuel Mwaura, Isaac Memusi, Collins Opiyo, and Japheth Juma were suspended in 2021.

In 2023, Tony Kidiya, Nyabera Libese, Boniface Gikonyo, and Hassan Omondi were suspended.