Fifteen Zoo Kericho FC-linked individuals slapped with indefinite suspension in match fixing scandal – Capital Sports

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 14 – The Football Kenya Federation has slapped indefinite suspensions on 15 Zoo Kericho FC related players over a match-fixing scandal that rocked the team last season.

Zoo owner Ken Ochieng last year caused a storm when he released audios on social media of players confirming their involvement in match fixing, but at that time, no action was taken as the Federation had been disbanded.

But as soon as they took office, the Federation, through its integrity office led by Michael Kamure took up the case and launched investigations.

The investigations have led to the suspension of 15 individuals, all linked with the former FKF Premier League side, who were demoted to the third tier by FIFA due to the same issues of match fixing.

Among those suspended is current Tusker FC defender Isaac Kipyegon. The left footed defender was signed by the brewers from AFC Leopards last season.

Kipyegon had been named in Tusker’s squad for Saturday’s Premier League match against Nzoia Sugar, and had to be dropped, with the half-fit Charles Momanyi called in as a replacement.

Also suspended is their former goalkeeper coach Willis Ochieng, who is now the Zetech University coach.

Ochieng, who also had a similar scandal during his playing time in Finland, joined Zoo from record Premier League champions Gor Mahia.

Congolese Dumonde Selenga, who is now a coach at Kericho FC and at that time was an assistant coach at Zoo has also been suspended.

The Federation has insisted on a zero tolerance to match fixing and has asked clubs to distance themselves from the 15 who have been suspended indefinitely.

Over the last three seasons, match fixing has been a major problem in Kenyan football especially with foreign fixers eyeing this as a lucrative market due to the limited finances among teams.

FIFA has already cracked down on some individuals, with a section of Kakamega Homeboyz players having been slapped with bans, while Zoo themselves were relegated two divisions lower by FIFA over the same issues.

Suspended individuals

1) Willis Ochieng Oganyo- Coach-Zetech University

2) Hamidu Kwizera Lucas- former player Zoo FC

3) Vincent Misikhu- Player- former player Zoo FC

4) Sammy Sindani Sabiri- Player-Silibwet Leons FC

5) Michael Idovolo Madoya- Player-former player Nairobi City Stars FC

6) Johnstone Ligare- Player-former player Zoo FC

7) Geoffrey Gichana- Player-Zoo FC

8) Dominic Ouma Okoth- Player-Kericho Rovers FC

9) Isaac Kipyegon- Player- Tusker FC

10) Stanslaus Akiya Munyasa- Player-Silibwet Leons FC

11) William Odunga- Player-Silibwet Leons FC

12) Daniel Kiptoo- former player Zoo FC

13) Brian Lumumba- Player-Zoo FC

14) Du Monde Selenga Mangili- Head Coach- Kericho FC

15) Dennis Monda – Former Player Vihiga United