Nairobi, Kenya – April 10, 2025 – The football fraternity is abuzz about the perplexing case of Kakamega Homeboyz goalkeeper Patrick Matasi. Despite a High Court order overturning his 90-day suspension by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) over match-fixing allegations, the club has been strongly advised to exercise caution in fielding the veteran shot-stopper.
The drama unfolded two weeks prior when FKF slapped Matasi with a provisional three-month ban, pending a thorough investigation into claims of match manipulation. This action stemmed from an undated video that surfaced online, seemingly capturing Matasi in a clandestine conversation with an unidentified person. The dialogue allegedly revolved around a scheme to predetermine the outcome of a match, with Matasi purportedly agreeing to concede goals in exchange for an unspecified financial reward. The particular match in question remains shrouded in mystery, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding saga.
Following the suspension, Matasi swiftly sought legal redress, successfully obtaining a stay order from the High Court in Kakamega. This legal intervention technically cleared him to return to the pitch, throwing a spanner in the works of FKF’s disciplinary process.
Throughout this tumultuous period, Kakamega Homeboyz have remained steadfast in their support for their goalkeeper. Club chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has vociferously maintained Matasi’s innocence, standing by his player amidst the swirling allegations.
However, a new dimension has been added to the narrative with a stark warning issued to Kakamega Homeboyz. Prominent sports lawyer Ken Ochieng, speaking to Mozzart Sport, urged the club to tread with extreme caution. “This is a complex situation for the player, the club, and the federation. If he returns to action, every move he makes on the pitch will be scrutinized. Even a genuine error could be misinterpreted as deliberate,” Ochieng insightfully pointed out.
Ochieng, who also chairs Zoo FC, a club previously embroiled in match-fixing scandals, voiced serious concerns about the capacity of FKF and local law enforcement to effectively handle such intricate cases. He passionately advocated for the federation to escalate the matter to FIFA, the global football governing body. “If the allegations include matches outside FKF or police jurisdiction, the matter should be handed over to FIFA. Only they have the global reach and technical capacity to conduct a thorough probe,” he asserted.
Drawing from his deep understanding of the murky underbelly of football, Ochieng emphasized that match-fixing is a deeply entrenched problem within Kenyan football. He called for a comprehensive audit of the top two tiers of Kenyan football. “FIFA should be invited to investigate both the Premier League and the National Super League, covering at least the last two to three seasons. The FIFA Integrity Unit can uncover and address systemic issues,” he suggested, highlighting the potential for a far-reaching investigation to expose the true extent of the problem.
Ochieng also shed light on the controversial practice of clubs buying league slots, a phenomenon he believes breeds corruption and significantly contributes to the proliferation of match-fixing. “The league isn’t even highly lucrative, so the fact that teams are still buying slots points to deeper issues. FKF must take a firm stand and eliminate this practice entirely,” he stated emphatically.
Adding another layer of concern to the already tense situation, Ochieng revealed a fresh development: another FKF Premier League club has suspended three of its players over new match-fixing allegations. This startling revelation underscores the pervasive nature of the problem plaguing Kenyan football and the urgent need for decisive action to restore the integrity of the sport.
