In connection with a probe into a possible match-fixing ring, three people have been detained on suspicion of interfering with football games in Kenyan leagues, the Football Kenya Federation announced on Saturday.
The arrests take place as Kenya’s leagues come under increased scrutiny for match-fixing and player corruption in events that the FKF has approved.
Barry Otieno, the head of the FKF, said in a statement that one Kenyan and two foreigners had been detained for “involved in issuing bribes and match-fixing.” He did not provide their names.
“Due to the sensitivity of the case, FKF will not be commenting further on the matter until investigations are concluded.”
Otieno said the federation was committed to ensuring the integrity of the sport and was working with local and international security agencies to prosecute the individuals.
Kenyan leagues have been hit with a series of suspensions in recent months as part of a national probe into match-fixing in football for betting purposes.
Last month, two players from the Nairobi-based Mathare United were barred from taking part in any football-related activities until investigations into their suspected involvement in the match-fixing syndicate were completed.
In January, 14 other players and two coaches were suspended for match-fixing after FKF received a tip-off about cheating in the national league.
Among those suspended were six players from Zoo Kericho FC, which was found guilty of match-fixing by FIFA’s integrity unit in 2021 and expelled from the Kenyan Premier League.
In February 2020, FIFA banned four Kenyan players, including one for life, for taking part in an “international conspiracy” to fix league matches.