Tackle acts of hooliganism in Kenyan football

Kenyan football is no stranger to acts of hooliganism. The recent acts of violence involving two of the country’s most famous clubs, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, show that more needs to be done to tackle this vice.

The individuals carrying out acts of hooliganism should be dealt with as well as the clubs that condone this ugly vice.

This is why the announcement that betting company SportPesa has suspended its shirt sponsorship deal with AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia over hooliganism is a step in the right direction. Football Kenya Federation has also warned that any club whose fans cause trouble will be deducted six points and repeating the offence three times will see the club relegated to a lower division.

The clubs will also be forced to play some games in empty stadiums, thereby denying them the much-needed resources from gate collections. For clubs known to struggle financially, this is hitting them where it hurts most.

Action should be also extended to individuals perpetrating violence in sports. They should be arrested and face charges in courts of law.

Finally, the fans of these two clubs must help change the culture of their supporters. Hooliganism will only end up hurting the clubs they love