The Disciplinary Committee of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association has issued a firm directive on Friday, May 2, relegating Kenyan football side Muhoroni Youth from the National Super League to the FKF Division One League due to confirmed involvement in match-fixing.
In its official communication, FIFA revealed that after comprehensive investigations, it had found the club guilty of manipulating football matches and competitions, triggering an immediate expulsion from Kenya’s second-tier league.
“Following a thorough analysis of the case and as part of its zero-tolerance policy against match manipulation, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has found Kenyan club Muhoroni Youth guilty of activities related to the manipulation of football matches and competitions,” the global football body declared.
“The club’s senior team have consequently been expelled from the Football Kenya Federation National Super League, and the Disciplinary Committee has further ordered the relegation of the senior team to the Football Kenya Federation Division One League ahead of next season,” FIFA added.
A photo shared by KenyaMOJA showed the Muhoroni Youth squad in action in previous seasons.
In line with FIFA statutes, the club now has ten days to appeal the ruling through the FIFA Appeals Committee and formally request the decision’s full grounds.
On the local front, the Football Kenya Federation confirmed receipt of the decision and backed FIFA’s move, emphasizing its firm stance against the manipulation of match outcomes.
“FKF fully supports FIFA’s decision and reiterates its zero-tolerance stance on match-fixing and all forms of manipulation that threaten the integrity of the game. We are committed to working closely with FIFA and other relevant bodies to root out this vice from Kenyan football,” FKF said in a statement.
Additionally, FKF indicated that Muhoroni would face the full consequences of their actions. The federation also disclosed plans to roll out an aggressive crackdown on match-fixing in collaboration with FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and local authorities.
“We are launching a full-scale war on match-fixing in collaboration with FIFA, CAF and all relevant authorities. We cannot allow this vice to undermine the progress we are making to uplift the game. Anyone found culpable will face the full consequences of their actions,” asserted FKF General Secretary Harold Ndege.
Muhoroni Youth, based in Kisumu County, had been dogged by rumours of irregularities within the NSL prior to this decision. After the ruling was made public, various voices on social media praised the action, calling it long overdue.
Established in the early 2000s, Muhoroni gained prominence after securing promotion to the Kenyan Premier League in 2012.
The team earned a reputation for defying odds, achieving respectable finishes in the top flight despite operating with limited financial support.
They remained competitive until their relegation in 2017, which was followed by a lengthy legal dispute regarding licensing and demotion. Ultimately, the club exited the top flight.
Kenyan football regulations prescribe harsh penalties for clubs found guilty of match-fixing, including demotion, financial sanctions, title stripping, suspension, and even legal action.
This isn’t the first time Kenyan football has been rocked by such scandal. In 2020, players from Zoo Kericho FC faced FIFA-imposed bans for match-fixing. The following year, the club was expelled from the FKF Premier League for similar infractions.
