Former Tusker FC head coach sounds alarm on match-fixing three days after sacking
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 20.02.26. | 12:00
Okere’s admission comes just three days after his departure from the 12-time FKF Premier League champions, following a turbulent spell at the helm
Immediate former Tusker FC head coach Charles Okere has made startling revelations about persistent match-fixing practices across Kenya’s top-flight and lower-tier leagues.
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Okere’s admission comes just three days after his departure from the 12-time FKF Premier League champions, following a turbulent spell at the helm.
His tenure ended in the wake of a 3-1 defeat to Mathare United on Sunday, 15 February, a result that effectively sealed his exit from the club.
Speaking during an interview with Sporty FM on Thursday, 19 February, the CAF-licensed coach did not hold back, describing a worrying culture of match manipulation in Kenyan football.
"The reality is that matches are being fixed. Match fixers are very present in the league, and it's a worrying trend," Okere stated.
His comments echo growing concerns over alleged dubious officiating decisions and questionable goals across league matches, incidents that have raised serious questions about the integrity of competitions and the persistent threat of alleged match-fixing.
Additionally, Okere, who previously served as assistant to 2021 title-winning coach Robert Matano, defended his tenure and subsequent sacking.
He admitted that he was not fully equipped to mount a genuine title challenge and called on club officials to take responsibility when team performance falls short.
"At the start of the season, we had clear targets as a club and coaching team, but due to budgeting constraints and other factors, most of the deals did not materialise.
When the players you need are unavailable because of financial demands, you end up with players lower in the pecking order of your list, which affects your ability to compete at the highest level," he explained.
"As a coach, I am open to criticism, which is fair, but when management cannot provide what is needed, the blame should not fall entirely on me. This is something that leadership must own up to," the former Harambee Starlets coach added.
Okere’s second season in charge of the Brewers, since taking charge in December 2024, following Matano’s departure, has been fraught with disappointment.
The recent loss to Mathare United marked Tusker’s eighth defeat of the season, leaving them in ninth place with 28 points, a massive 15 points adrift of league leaders Gor Mahia and further highlighting a looming trophyless run in the league to fifth consecutive year.