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Three men were arrested after a sting operation.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) CEO Barry Otieno has promised a swift outcome to investigations into allegations that three men attempted to fix an FKF Premier League involving Nairobi City Stars and Sofapaka.
Police officers from Kasarani Police Station on Friday night arrested a Russian, a Ugandan and a Kenyan national in Zimmerman Estate after they were tipped off by City Stars officials.
In a statement released on Saturday, Barry said that the federation is doing all it can in helping the investigator in probing the matter and safeguarding the integrity of the local football.
“The federation wishes to thank the police and a section of FKFPL players who assisted in the arrest and detention of three individuals, amongst them a Kenyan and two foreigners involved in issuing bribes and match-fixing.
FKF continues to work closely with all involved, including local and international security agencies, to not only assist in the prosecution of the said individuals but also in an effort aimed at safeguarding the integrity of Kenyan football.
The federation wishes to reassure all football stakeholders and the general public of its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of all its leagues and competitions and has established with the assistance of FIFA and local clubs an elaborate system to assist in detecting, preventing and reporting match manipulation activities.
Due to the sensitivity of the case, FKF will not be commenting further on the matter until investigations are concluded,” FKF said in a statement.
City Stars were supposed to lose by conceding the first goal in the opening 10 minutes, soaking in two more between the 70th and 78th minute, and in case they scored; then they were to give one more goal to Sofapaka.
The trio had approached former Kakamega Homeboyz player Festo Omukoto to help them to engage at least seven City Stars players.
However, Omukoto who recently completed serving a FIFA ban for allegedly predetermining results contrary to the global body’s disciplinary code, alerted Korir, who then arranged a trap to nab the match-fixers.
In the plan, eight players and an official were involved in wooing the trio in a police trap and they were arrested at around 10 pm and whisked away to Kasarani Police station.
The players and official recorded statements and were later released from custody at around midnight. They will be expected to be called on Monday to give evidence in court when the trio is aligned.
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