Citizen TV, in collaboration with police officers, conducted a 10-hour undercover operation at an apartment in Zimmerman, Nairobi, resulting in the arrest of a Russian national, a Ugandan, and a Kenyan on suspicion of match-fixing. The trio was allegedly attempting to bribe players from Nairobi City Stars to lose to Sofapaka during a Kenya Premier League match at Ruraka Grounds.
The operation began when a whistleblower contacted Nairobi City Stars CEO Patrick Korir to report the suspects’ demands. Korir engaged in communication with the suspects for over four hours, during which he notified the police and the Citizen TV crew, who wired the team manager to gain video and audio coverage.
The suspects allegedly instructed the players to concede goals during the first ten and final fifteen minutes of the game, promising Ksh1.8 million for each instruction followed. The players were also promised Ksh30,000 each as transport to the match venue, with the suspects allegedly planning to be undercover inside the stadium to give signals during the game.
The police intervened, arresting the suspects and taking the players and team manager into custody for questioning. However, the latter were released later for their assistance in apprehending the trio.
Korir believes that exposing such activities is crucial in curbing the vice in local leagues. “The three ways we can kill the vice are to record, name, and shame, and then legislate,” he stated.
