Football player McDonald Mariga advocates for stricter measures against match-fixing in Kenyan soccer
Kenyan Football under Pressure: Mariga Calls for Stronger Anti-Match-Fixing Measures
Kenyan football is currently grappling with significant challenges related to security and integrity issues, as well as ongoing calls for stronger actions against match-fixing. This comes as the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has been fined over Ksh 12 million cumulatively by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) due to multiple safety and security breaches at CHAN 2024 matches.
The breaches include unauthorized entries, crowd control failures, and inadequate security deployment at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Stadium. CAF has issued stern warnings, threatening to relocate Kenya’s home matches to other countries like Uganda or Tanzania if security lapses continue. In response, the Kenyan government and FKF have tightened security measures and launched official fan zones for ticketless spectators to minimize unauthorized entry and enhance crowd management.
Recent allegations about match-fixing have intensified calls for reforms. McDonald Mariga, a prominent Kenyan football figure and Vice President of the FKF, has publicly advocated for tougher measures to combat match-fixing in Kenyan football. Mariga suggested that match-fixing should be considered a crime, punishable by imprisonment and a ban from football activities.
Mariga emphasizes the importance of educating fans and bettors on responsible betting. He urges betting companies to widen their investment scope beyond grassroots football. The investigation into these allegations is currently ongoing, with both FIFA and the FKF actively pursuing the matter.
At the iGF East Africa event in Nairobi, Mariga stressed the need to protect the integrity of the game and the wellbeing of its supporters. An unverified video circulated, which appeared to show a national team player discussing the manipulation of a match. Mariga acknowledges the value of betting companies in football sponsorship but warns of potential negative impacts.
Mariga believes that support for both grassroots and national league is necessary. He calls for an approach that pairs financial investment with ethical standards. Mariga confirmed that the outcome of the investigation will be announced soon. As the football community in Kenya continues to grapple with these challenges, Mariga's calls for reforms are a clear indication of the growing awareness and urgency to tackle corruption and protect the sport's integrity.
In light of the ongoing match-fixing allegations in Kenyan football, McDonald Mariga, a vice president at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), advocates for stricter penalties, including imprisonment and a ban from football activities, to combat match-fixing. Mariga also emphasizes the importance of educating fans and bettors on responsible gambling, while urging betting companies to invest in areas beyond grassroots football to minimize the potential negative impacts on the sport's integrity.
