McDonald Mariga Calls for Tougher Policies Against Match-Fixing in Kenyan Football
Former football midfielder and current Vice President of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), McDonald Mariga, is calling for stronger measures to combat match-fixing in the country’s football scene. Speaking to iGaming AFRIKA during the recent iGF East Africa event in Nairobi, Mariga stressed the urgent need for policy changes to protect the integrity of the game.
“I think where it gets wrong is when players start to match-fix. It’s a big problem in our game here,” Mariga said. “What we have to do is make a policy because we don’t have a policy at the moment. If you match-fix, you’re committing a crime. You should end up in jail, serve a term, and be banned from football activities.”
His comments came amid recent allegations of match-fixing linked to one of the Harambee Stars’ recent high-profile fixtures, following the circulation of an unverified video that appeared to show a national team player discussing the manipulation of a match. While details remain under investigation, Mariga confirmed that both FIFA and the FKF are actively pursuing the matter. “FIFA is following up. Our FKF is following up on that and the outcome will come soon,” Mariga noted.
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McDonald Mariga, alongside his brother and fellow footballer Victor Wanyama, has been an advocate for grassroots football development. He acknowledged contributions from the betting industry but urged them to widen their investment scope. “I think they are doing their best… but if you sponsor more grassroots football and you don’t do anything in the higher leagues, then it’s not enough,” Mariga explained. “We need both the support for grassroots and the national league, so that when players rise up, they are better prepared.”
“We have to get a platform where we educate our fans and even people who bet,” Mariga said. “Not only fans, but people who bet. We have to educate them on how to bet and bet responsibly.” With betting companies playing a significant role in football sponsorship, he acknowledged their value but warned of the potential negative impact of gambling if left unchecked. Mariga stressed that education is essential to promoting responsible betting habits, and called for an approach that pairs financial investment with ethical standards to protect both the game’s integrity and the wellbeing of its supporters.
