EXCLUSIVE: Players Reveal How Match-Fixers Allegedly Approach Them With Cash

For many Kenyan footballers, the dream of making a living from the sport is often overshadowed by a more immediate struggle: putting food on the table.

Low salaries, delayed payments and financial uncertainty have left some players vulnerable to approaches that could compromise the integrity of the game. As betting continues to grow around football, players, coaches and fans are increasingly questioning whether financial pressure is creating an opening for match-fixing.

Interviews with two players, a coach and a fan revealed a common concern: when a player is struggling financially, an offer to influence the outcome of a match can become difficult to resist.

The interviewees called for better player welfare, stronger enforcement of football regulations and greater education on match-fixing, particularly among players competing at the grassroots level.

Players Cite Low Pay and Delayed Salaries

Speaking to Larry Lawrence, a player at Dandora FC, he explained how financial challenges have made some footballers vulnerable to match-fixing approaches.

According to him, low salaries and delayed payments push players to consider offers from people seeking to influence the outcome of matches.

“Low payment is the major issue for Kenyan footballers. If someone comes to you with, let’s say, Ksh50,000, you won’t deny,” he said.

He further stated that some players go for months without receiving their dues.

“Delay in payment period, dues run up to one year. Players can get affected; therefore, you’ll run for the offer,” Larry said.

The player claimed he had personally been approached and had also witnessed attempts to influence players.

He said players can be instructed not to score or to deliberately miss opportunities so that another team benefits.

“You find yourself going to score, then you pretend to miss the opportunity, or you shoot knowingly so you fail. You fail your team,” he said.

Players, Officials and Managers Can Be Targeted in Match-Fixing 

Larry said match-fixers target key players because their performance can have a major impact on a match.

He described himself as the “engine of a team” and said a player in such a position can be targeted because reducing their performance could weaken the entire team.

He also raised concerns about match officials and team managers.

Larry said a compromised official could influence a match through decisions such as awarding a questionable penalty or failing to issue a card when it is warranted.

He also claimed a team manager could be influenced financially and choose money over the interests of the team.

However, these are allegations from the player and were not independently verified.

A photo Collage of Dandora FC Player Larry Lawrence during a Match
PHOTO/File

Grassroots Football Also Faces Concerns

Speaking to Victor Omondi, a player at Tuala Wazoefu FC in Rongai, he said match-fixing is a serious concern in Kenyan football.

“Iko juu sana. Players tunatumika,” Vicky said, meaning the problem is very serious and players are being used or exploited.

He said players can be approached during important matches, including derbies and games involving teams competing closely on the league table.

Victor explained that players can be approached during important matches, including derbies and games involving teams competing closely on the league table.

He said financial pressure can make players vulnerable to such offers. He also cited delayed payments, lack of resources and personal problems as some of the factors that could influence a player.

He also said match-fixing is not limited to top-level football.

“At our level, because we are grassroots players, they believe they don’t happen, but these things happen behind the scenes,” he said.

Victor called for football authorities to take education on match-fixing and football rules to grassroots teams.

“Most people don’t know the FIFA rules. We only have club rules,” he said.

Photo collage of Tuala Wazoefu player Victor Omondi during a tournament competition
PHOTO/File

Coach Calls for Better Player Welfare

Nashon Ogara, who has coached Kirimari FC, Nembure Spotiff, Difatha Academy and Embu University 3K FC, said he is concerned about match-fixing in Kenyan football.

He said coaches can sometimes notice unusual behaviour during matches. According to him, refereeing decisions, player performance and actions from the technical bench can raise questions about the integrity of a match.

“Reactions from match officials, referees’ decisions speak a lot,” he said.

He added that coaches may notice when players are not performing at their normal level.

“Also, players’ ability, you notice they are not playing to their best,” he said.

Financial Problems Can Create Vulnerability

Nashon said player welfare plays an important role in protecting footballers from match-fixing.

“Yes, very. It does. With low resources, they find alternatives,” he said.

He argued that players facing financial difficulties may look for other ways to make money.

Larry made a similar point, saying timely salaries, allowances and better motivation could reduce the temptation to accept money from match-fixers.

He called for clubs to pay players on time and improve their working conditions.

Coach Says Current Penalties Are Not Enough

Nashon said existing penalties for people involved in match-fixing are not strong enough.

“No. They are not strong,” he said.

He argued that people may manipulate matches for different reasons, including betting and attempts to help clubs gain promotion.

“Penalties should be bold. A lot of discussion is needed to be resolved,” he said.

He also called for greater scrutiny of betting platforms, which he believes can contribute to the problem.

“It is really difficult. See how to control betting platforms because they are the ones that encourage this so much,” he said.

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Fan Says Match-Fixing Is Eroding Trust

Speaking to Billy Charles, a Gor Mahia fan, he said allegations of match-fixing have affected his confidence in football authorities.

He said such claims make fans question the ability of the Football Kenya Federation and other organisers to protect the integrity of the sport.

“It makes you lose trust in Football Kenya Federation, organisers, and doubt their capabilities,” Billy said.

He also described match-fixing as a widespread problem, claiming that money has become a major motivation.

“Everyone is there for money. Everything is being fixed,” he said.

Billy further claimed that the problem is growing even at grassroots level, where he said people can allegedly be paid before matches to frustrate a stronger team.

These claims could not independently be verified.

Fans Still Want to Attend Matches

Despite his concerns, Billy said allegations of match-fixing have not stopped him from attending football matches.

“As a fan, you go there to enjoy,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that fans can feel disappointed when they believe a result has been manipulated, particularly when their team is the one that suffers.

He said football authorities should investigate suspected cases quickly.

He called for investigations to begin as soon as possible whenever there are concerns about a match and for those found guilty to face punishment.

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What Punishment Should Match-Fixers Face?

Billy said players involved in match-fixing should initially face suspension rather than an immediate permanent ban.

He argued that footballers have families to support and should be allowed to learn from their mistakes.

“When it becomes a habit, ban them totally,” he said.

For him, protecting the confidence of supporters should remain a priority.

“You have to put fans’ trust and interest ahead of everything,” he said.

Players Call for Education

Larry said players are not receiving enough education about match-fixing and its consequences.

“No, they don’t. I’ve never been educated. We only learn about it through the media,” he said.

He called for players to understand the consequences of participating in match manipulation and urged authorities to improve education within clubs.

Vicky also called for more education at grassroots level, saying many young players may not understand the risks involved.

Both players said authorities should combine education with better pay, timely salaries, allowances and other forms of support.

Protecting the Integrity of the Game

The interviews point to several areas that players, coaches and fans believe require attention: player welfare, education, stronger enforcement, closer monitoring of matches and greater scrutiny of betting-related activity.

For Nashon, restoring trust will not be easy.He also highlighted the challenges created by Kenya’s dependence on sponsorships to fund football.

“When the sponsorship deals end, football dies because in Kenya that is what they rely on for funding,” he said.

He described the struggle faced by football stakeholders using a metaphor.

“We have to swim through the mud to get to the water.”

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Photo of Hussein Mohammed-FKF President during the FIFA Forward Programme 4.0 held in Nairobi on April 14,2026
PHOTO/FKF