This archive report was first published on 7 June 2020.
Kenya's Football Clubs: A Poverty-Driven Industry ¶
Published on June 7, 2020, by The Standard, a Kenyan newspaper, highlighted the struggles of football clubs in Kenya, where poverty is a major issue. The article criticized the Kenyan Poverty League, a governing body for football in Kenya, for its handling of the sport.
According to the article, football clubs in Kenya are places where footballers see their dreams turn into nightmares. Players are often subjected to suffering, with some struggling to provide shelter for their families or even feed and clothe themselves. The article also mentioned that some clubs are not willing to play ball, literally, due to financial constraints.
The article argued that the Kenyan Poverty League's handling of the sport is a major contributor to the poverty faced by footballers. The league's officials are accused of wanting to fatten their wallets, rather than inspiring growth in the sport. The article also criticized the idea that club football should continue in Kenya, as it is often used as a means to enslave young people.
Clay Muganda, an Editor at The Standard, wrote the article, which sparked a debate about the state of football in Kenya. The article concluded that footballers must be encouraged to keep off the Kenyan Poverty League until they have long-term contacts backed by sound legal advice.
