Shimanyula urges FKF to vet, clear suspended officials before assigning duties

Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has urged Football Kenya Federation to follow legal processes, carefully vet and clear suspended officials before reintegrating them into the game.

FKF was on the receiving end of criticism, from stakeholders, for reportedly assigning official duties to referees, who are serving suspension over their alleged involvement in match-fixing.

The two referees are said to have actively overseen a Physical Endurance Test (PET) exercise in Vihiga yet they had not been cleared of the match-fixing allegations.

Shimanyula, who has in the past witnessed four players from his club get lengthy bans from FIFA after being found guilty of vice, called on FKF to conclude the investigations and clear officials before being admitted back to the game.

The administrator called for a fairing administration of justice to the suspended referees and players while simultaneously, protecting the integrity of the game.

“First, I ask FKF to partner with the relevant agencies and ensure the suspended referees are investigated well. Up to this moment, we are not sure if they were victimized for disagreeing with the previous regime or if they indeed engaged in the vice. After that, let them be vetted and cleared before being assigned any roles,” said Shimanyula.

Before Hussein Mohammed was elected the FKF president in December last year, Kandanda House, through its integrity wing had suspended a host of players and officials on suspicion that they were involved in the vice.

However, none has been successfully cleared or condemned highlighting the need to formulate anti-match fixing laws.

Former Mathare United and Nairobi City Stars centre back Lennox Ogutu had his match-fixing suspension lifted in November last year.

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Ogutu successfully appealed his case at the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) and won against FKF after the latter failed to table evidence.

The defender, who was suspended in February 2023,has since joined National Super League side Nairobi United.