Gor Mahia Vice Chairperson Sally Bolo has voiced deep concern following explosive match-fixing allegations made by former Tusker FC head coach Charles Okere, warning that Kenyan football is facing a serious integrity crisis.
In a strongly worded statement, Bolo said the claims are “painful to even say, but must be said,” especially coming from a coach of Okere’s stature.
“When a respected former head coach openly admits that match fixing is rampant in Kenya, then we have a serious crisis on our hands. This is not just about results; it’s about the integrity of our game,” Bolo stated.
She stressed that match fixing goes beyond the pitch, affecting fans who spend their hard-earned money, players who compete believing the contest is fair, and clubs whose badges risk being permanently stained.
“Match fixing kills competition. It destroys trust. It stains the badge. Silence is complicity,” she added.
Bolo called on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to act decisively.
“Investigate. Expose. Sanction. Protect the integrity of Kenyan football before the damage becomes irreversible. Our game deserves better.”
Okere’s Explosive Admission
Okere’s remarks came just three days after his departure from Tusker FC, the 12-time FKF Premier League champions, following a turbulent spell in charge.
“The reality is that matches are being fixed. Match fixers are very present in the league, and it’s a worrying trend,” Okere said.
The former Harambee Starlets coach also pointed to structural and financial challenges within clubs, revealing that unmet recruitment targets and budget constraints undermined competitiveness.
>“When the players you need are unavailable because of financial demands, you end up with players lower in the pecking order, which affects your ability to compete at the highest level,” he explained.
Okere maintained that while he accepts criticism as a coach, responsibility must be shared.
>“When management cannot provide what is needed, the blame should not fall entirely on me. This is something leadership must own up to.”
Bigger Than One Club
Bolo’s intervention underscores growing fears within Kenyan football that match fixing is no longer isolated but systemic. Her call adds pressure on FKF to move beyond statements and take visible, transparent action to restore confidence in the local game.
For many fans, the message is clear: if the integrity of Kenyan football is not protected now, the cost could be irreversible.