This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
Published on October 7, 2019, the Kenyan football scene is in a state of crisis, with several teams facing financial difficulties that threaten to derail the season.
For weeks, fans have been crossing their fingers in the hope that sponsors would emerge to salvage the financial situation of Kenyan football. However, this prayer has gone unanswered, leaving the sport in a precarious position.
Just a few years ago, Shabana's inability to honour their matches was a shocking revelation. The team's financial struggles forced them to forfeit matches, ultimately leading to their relegation to a lower tier.
Fast forward to last Saturday, when Sony Sugar FC found themselves in a similar predicament. Despite having a new sponsor, Quantdragon Limited, the team was unable to host their match against AFC Leopards, resulting in a walkover.
Chairman Gabriel Otiende revealed that the team had an agreement with the sponsors to deposit $28,400 into the club account every month, but they have never received a single payment. The team has incurred debts to honour their matches and is now on the brink of collapse.
As Otiende noted, 'We have not paid players and the technical bench since August, and this is becoming too much now.' His words serve as a chilling reminder of the true state of Kenyan football, where clubs are struggling to survive.
It is imperative that the government takes immediate action to address the financial woes of Kenyan football. The current state of affairs is a reflection of the sport's overall health, and it is time for drastic measures to be taken.
