Sigh of relief as Football Kenya Federation (FKF) lifts ban on night matches

By GILBERT WANDERA

A Tusker FC fan during a past Kenyan Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium. [Photo: BONIFACE OKENDO]

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has lifted a ban it had slapped on night matches due to insecurity.

In a two-paragraph statement, FKF Secretary General Michael Esakwa, however, said lifting of the ban is conditional and tight security must be enhanced for such matches to take place.

The federation announced a ban on night matches last year in the wake of insecurity in the country.

However, the ban has come to haunt local clubs especially the community sides which rely on gate collections to run their affairs.

Three weeks ago, the clubs wrote to Kenyan Premier League (KPL) asking that the ban be lifted to enable them continue attracting more fans as they have witnessed a dip in their revenue collections.

Gor Mahia Secretary General Chris Omondi and his AFC Leopards counter-part George Aladwa have already written to KPL and FKF asking that the ban be lifted following a slump in match attendance.

Before the ban, night matches which used to kick off at 7p.m had become very popular with local fans.

use Kinoru Stadium

Elsewhere, Tusker can use Meru Kinoru Stadium for their home matches.

The team has been allowed to use the venue with immediate effect after it was certified as being able to host league matches.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in a letter to the club informed that they go ahead with plans to play their home matches at the venue.

“After inspecting the venue, Kinoru Stadium has been certified as being fit to host KPL matches. This is to give your club the go ahead to with immediate host your matches at the venue,” said FKF Secretary General Michael Esakwa.

Tusker director Charles Obiny was elated by the move and said they intend to move to the new venue as early as next month.

“This is good news for our club and our fans in Meru who will now have an opportunity to watch KPL matches. We will not disappoint them at all,” he said.

Together with Machakos Municipal Stadium, Kinoru Stadium becomes the other facility outside Nairobi to host KPL matches.

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