This archive report was first published on 16 December 2019.
Kenya's Football League in Crisis ¶
Published on December 16, 2019
A Mombasa-based miraa dealer's shocking tale of dedication to duty has left many wondering why Kenya's football officials are not following suit. The dealer, who was admitted to the coast Provincial General Hospital with malaria, was so eager to get back to work that he ripped out his drip pipes and drank the remaining quinine solution, claiming that his miraa cargo had arrived at the market.
Meanwhile, the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) is struggling to stay afloat due to financial difficulties. Players and coaches are going unpaid for months, and the situation is dire. The coach of AFC Leopards, Andre Casa Mbungo, recently resigned citing financial strain, saying, "I had highlighted my plight with the management for quite some time but they seem not to be keen to pay me. I have been patient enough but it's time to quit the club."
It's time for the government and county governments to step in and help their local teams. The situation is not just a matter of sports, but also a reflection of the country's economic woes. If left unchecked, the KPL may not survive next year, and that would be a disaster.
It's time for Kenya's football officials to take a cue from the miraa dealer's dedication to duty and put the needs of the players and coaches first. The future of the KPL depends on it.
