This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kenyan Premier League has come to an abrupt end, leaving many fans unaware of the situation. In fact, many football enthusiasts I've spoken to are more concerned about the European leagues restarting than the local league.
According to a report, the Bundesliga resumed over the weekend, but it's unclear when other leagues will follow suit. This lack of interest in the local league can be attributed to the casual attitude of football managers in Kenya.
Players who participated in the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) held in Egypt last June are still awaiting their unpaid bonuses. Kenya beat Tanzania 3-2 in group 'C' during the tournament, but some players who helped the team qualify for the final but did not make the trip to Egypt have not received their bonuses. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) seems to have forgotten about them, focusing all their energies on re-election.
Clubs are not doing any better, with reports of foreign players in the KPL unable to travel back home due to the coronavirus. Gor Mahia midfielder Jackson Owusu has been detained by a hotel in Nairobi over unpaid dues of Sh600,000.
Owusu, who joined K'Ogalo in January, said he had been depending on the club management to bail him out, but they have not been forthcoming despite making promises. The young player from Ghana has been forced to beg his parents to send him cash to survive.
''I survive many times by only eating one meal in a day and it has to be given out after the attendant has received the go-ahead from the manager. Some fans brought me food on Wednesday and I am really grateful for their kind gesture,'' Owusu said.
These cases highlight the need for improvement in the Kenyan football scene. Can Kenyans love their football when players are left in such dire circumstances?
