- From packed stadiums echoing with political chants to shocking match-fixing exposés, Kenyan football has attracted widespread public attention in the past few days.
- Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi recently hosted thrilling matches by Kenyan standards, including a showdown between the Harambee Stars and the Gabonese national team.
- Hot on the heels of the international game was a popular domestic fixture better known as the Mashemeji Derby, a heated clash between Kenyan football rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.
- The two matches, however, were overshadowed by political sideshows and disturbing scandals of match-fixing by local talents.
Ecstatic Football Fans Bring “Ruto Must Go” Chants to Nyayo Stadium
Before the Kenya vs Gabon World Cup Qualifiers fixture on Sunday, 23rd March, “Ruto Must Go” was synonymous with local bars, night clubs, and concerts.
Amid the fanfare, revelers and concertgoers frequently chant “Ruto Must Go!” echoing the growing wave of discontent across the country against the Ruto administration.
Coined during the infamous Anti Finance Bill 2024 protests, the rallying cry has been repeated in almost all public events, including burials, church events, and, lately, football matches.
On the highly anticipated Sunday, fans from all over the country began trooping into Nairobi’s Nyayo stadium to watch the national football team in action.
Minutes before the match, the stadium was at full capacity, with more crowds stranded outside the gates seeking entry.
Ticketed fans danced as the DJ amped up the stadium’s energy.
Succumbing to pressure from fans, the DJ also played the now-popular “Kasongo yeye” track composed by Super Mazembe, a legendary orchestra from the 1970s.
From their illustrious collection of songs, including “Shauri Yako,” Kenyans picked “Kasongo yeye” for political symbolism and rebuking Ruto’s policies.
In a strategic move, President Ruto has fully embraced his Kasongo moniker, often dancing to the popular hit at presidential events.
Alongside the hilarious coordinated dance moves to the famous song, football fans erupted into loud “Ruto Must Go!” chants, bringing activities to a standstill.
Defiant MP Salasya Forcefully Ejected From Nyayo Stadium for Alleged Disrespect to Raila
In the momentary tension, vocal MP Peter Salasya could be seen under attack in one corner of the stadium.
Donning an AFC Leopards shirt, Mr. Salasya was harrassed by a group of youths who hurled objects and pushed him out of the stands.
His unceremonious eviction continued in the stadium’s parking lot, where he was escorted with fists and kicks to his car before he stormed off the venue.
In the full glare of cameras and security officers, the youth claimed they had taken it upon themselves to ‘discipline’ Salasya for disrespecting Baba (Raila Odinga).
The Mumias East MP is on record condemning the political alliance between the country’s top political figureheads, President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Their political pact was codified in a lackluster Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on 7th March 2025.
Peter Salsya has called for the removal of both Ruto and Raila from the political space, resonating with the country’s agitated Gen Z movement, who want a total overhaul of the governance structure.
Kenya’s Security Chiefs React to “Ruto Must Go”
The chants have echoed persistently in public spaces, including the recently concluded Mashemeji Derby, sending shockwaves through the country’s top security circles.
High-ranking officials, including the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and the Director General of National Intelligence, have cautioned Kenyans on the slogan.
Stressing that the Kenya Defence Forces is apolitical, CDF General Charles Kahariri urged Kenyans to conduct themselves per the constitution.
“When the people decide they are tired of the government they elected, and they say it must go, that ‘must go’ must be done according to the constitution,” said the country’s four-star General.
The warnings have ignited a storm on social media, with a section of the political class led by impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua throwing a barrage of condemnation against the senior security officials.
Kenyans have also firmly warned the country’s top uniformed officer against meddling in politics, urging him to uphold the integrity of his high office.
Kenyan Football Struggles to Contain Match-Fixing Vice
Kenya is witnessing a surge of frustration over the country’s apparent inability to root out match-fixing from its football sector.
From sting operations in Nairobi’s neighborhoods to unsettling video leaks on social media, Kenyan football is under intense scrutiny for high-scale dishonesty.
A recent video surfaced on Twitter allegedly showing Kenya’s renowned goalkeeper, Patrick Matasi alias Kenya One, negotiating a match-fixing deal.
The men were discussing how to manipulate an undated match in the Kenya Premier League.
Matasi, now playing for Kakamega Homeboyz FC following a recent spell at Kenya Police FC, appears in the video seated in the right-back seat of a parked vehicle, conversing with someone off-camera.
An unidentified person in the car recorded the footage before it was leaked on social media.
The man conversing with Matasi in the video cited their long working relationship, sparking speculation over the goalkeeper’s betting behavior.
Alongside the viral clip were videos of Matasi’s nerve-wracking schoolboy errors between the sticks.
From punching the ball to his own net to cheaply conceding possession to opponent strikers in the danger area, Matasi has conceded blatant goals that have elicited growing suspicions among Kenyan fans.
What is more concerning is Matasi’s involvement in Kenya’s international fixtures in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and a bunch of friendly matches.
Kenya has consistently struggled to punch its ticket to the World Cup and other continental tournaments, which has raised doubts over the quality of Kenyan talent.
The narrative has changed with match-fixing taking center stage, becoming a major threat to the integrity and performance of Kenyan football.
Match-fixing is not a new thing in Kenya. In a 2023 police night raid in Nairobi’s Zimmerman neighborhood, two foreigners and a Kenyan were arrested on match-fixing allegations.
The men were reportedly caught scheming to manipulate the outcome of a Kenya Premier League match involving Nairobi City Stars and Sofapaka FC. Some Niarobi City Stars players had been recruited to execute the dishonest plan.
The turmoil unfolds against the backdrop of the newly elected Football Kenya Federation (FKF) leadership under President Hussein Mohammed.
His team, ushered in on a promise of reform, is expected to tackle match-fixing and other deep-seated issues plaguing Kenyan football.
It remains unclear how the new FKF will navigate its relationship with betting firms, with match-fixing directly linked to gambling and the league’s heavy reliance on betting companies for sponsorship.
In the short term, the federation is working to fix ticketing systems, restore order, and improve match-day experience for Kenyan football fans.
Addressing the match-fixing scandal, FKF has announced that it will not tolerate match manipulation in Kenya.
Through CEO Harold Ndege, the federation has informed FIFA and CAF about the recent match-fixing scandal, with government agencies already brought on board in the investigation.
FKF relies on FIFA and CAF sanctions, as there are no official match-fixing laws in Kenya. The federation may also invoke the FKF Anti-Match Manipulation Regulations 2016, which prescribe penalties such as fines and lifetime bans.
