Kenyan football faces harsh truths ahead of CHAN kickoff
By Joel Masibo, July 31, 2025Two days before the official commencement of the delayed 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, debate around the viability of football in Kenya continues to gather momentum.
Speaking on K24 television on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, top football administrators in the country weighed in on what ails the beautiful game locally. At the centre of this conversation lies a crucial question: can football in Kenya provide a sustainable livelihood for its players and foster competitive growth?
Athanas Obango, the Head of Projects and National Teams at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), painted a sobering picture of life as a local football expert, pointing to the economic hardships players face due to financial instability at the club level.
Issues dragging game behind
Obango’s sentiments come against the backdrop of reported match-fixing cases in Kenya’s football ecosystem. Players and match officials have lately been mentioned in match manipulation incidents, with the root cause of such cases linked to financial hardships in the country’s game.
“A player who hasn’t been paid for six months—if you offer him money, he might manipulate a match because he’s hungry,” Obango said. “But if we have a vibrant league where clubs are financially stable, that kind of situation won’t arise.”
His concerns echo a deeper crisis. Cases of unpaid salaries, contract breaches, and lack of player welfare remain rampant. Many clubs, especially those outside the top tier, struggle with operational costs, leaving players vulnerable and disillusioned.
Obango also said it is difficult to make football viable without proper infrastructure put in place across the country. ”I am concerned that even the second-largest town in this country, Mombasa, doesn’t have a stadium. Mombasa is a tourist destination.”
On his part, the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association President, James Situma, believes the solution lies in sustainable planning and collective responsibility.
“If we want to play at the top level, we have to start by empowering grassroots facilities. Everyone has to play their role,” said Situma. “We don’t need to push anyone — what we need are long-term solutions for all these challenges.”
Situma, a former Harambee Stars player, also called for proper investment in infrastructure, consistent league structures, and professionalism in club management, emphasising that only a coordinated effort will turn things around.
For a country that once boasted strong club football and regional dominance, Kenya’s current state raises concern. Stadia are in disrepair, sponsorships are erratic, and youth talent often gets lost in the system due to a lack of structured development pathways.