Just days after getting the boot from Tusker FC, former coach Charles Okere is stirring up a storm with his bold claims about match fixing in Kenya. The 44-year-old tactician, who’s been around the block in Kenyan soccer circles, dropped these bombshells during a radio chat, sending shockwaves through the local leagues. It’s the kind of talk that makes you wonder what’s really going on behind those matchday cheers and jeers.
Okere didn’t hold back in his interview on SportyFM. He flat-out said, “The reality is that games are being fixed in Kenya. Match fixers are here with us.” And he doubled down with, “The truth is, games are being manipulated here. Match fixers are operating among us.”
Coming from a guy who was on the sidelines just last week, this hits different. He got sacked after Tusker took a 3-1 beating from Mathare United, a result that left the brewers’ club scrambling. Now, with him out the door, he’s pointing fingers at deeper problems in the Kenya Premier League, or KPL, as we call it here.
Match fixing isn’t new – it’s like that unwelcome guest who keeps showing up at parties. Back in the day, we’ve seen players and officials get slapped with suspensions over shady dealings.
Remember those times when betting syndicates from abroad dipped their toes into our local games? It’s tough to police because these networks span the globe, and our clubs often struggle with cash flow issues. Players go months without pay, making them easy targets for a quick bribe to throw a game or two.
Okere’s timing has folks raising eyebrows. Some say he’s bitter after the firing. One fan on X put it bluntly: if he knew about this while coaching, why wait until now to spill?
Others are calling for hard evidence. He tweeted that serious accusations like these need names, proof, and proper channels – not just post-sacking rants that smear the whole scene. Fair point.
If Okere’s got the goods, the Football Kenya Federation should haul him in for a sit-down. Let’s get investigations rolling, protect the game’s honour, and nail anyone guilty.
But Okere didn’t stop at match fixing. He took shots at Tusker’s setup too. He griped about the Ruaraka training ground, saying it’s in such bad shape that practising there sets players up for failure on better fields.
“Training is the rehearsal for a match; you cannot train on such a poor surface and then expect good results on a better pitch,” he explained. And on recruitment? He wanted certain players but couldn’t snag them due to club hiccups. For a team chasing titles, that’s a big red flag. Tusker sits ninth in the standings now, miles behind the leaders, so maybe there’s truth in his gripes.
This isn’t just about one coach or one club. Kenyan football has been fighting for respect on the continent. We’ve got talent – think of Harambee Stars pushing in qualifiers or clubs like Gor Mahia making noise in CAF competitions.
But scandals erode trust. Fans pack the stands expecting fair play, not scripted outcomes. Authorities need to team up with cops and regulators to clamp down. Educate players early, watch finances closely, and dish out tough penalties.
Reactions are pouring in online. One X user joked that Okere stayed quiet when Tusker benefited from dodgy calls but sings now that he’s out. Another demanded hangings for fixers – extreme, but it shows the frustration. Even media outlets are buzzing, with calls for transparency to save the sport from more harm.
Okere’s words could be a wake-up call if handled right. Or just sour grapes. Either way, the KPL’s integrity is on the line. Fans deserve games won on skill, not shady deals. If you’re a supporter, keep an eye on this – it might change how we view our beloved league. The federation’s response will tell us a lot. For now, the ball’s in their court.
