KPL side Nakumatt not affected by financial problems at parent company

Gilbert Fiamenyo of AFC Leopards fight for ball with Eugene Ambulwa of Nakumatt FC during their SportPesa Premier league match at the Thika sub county stadium in Thika on March 18, 2017.They drew 0-0 [Photo Tabitha Otwori /www.sportpicha.com]

Life is going on as usual at Nakumatt despite reports of financial challenges facing the parent company.

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side, which earned promotion to the top tier this season, is sponsored by Nakumatt Holdings, which owns a chain of supermarkets in the East African region.

Media reports at the weekend said the company was asking for a bailout as it struggles to stay in business, a situation that has no doubt created concerns about the future of Nakumatt club.

The reports also said the supermarket chain has not paid its staff their May salaries.

But club secretary Albert Wesonga insists that all is well at the club and that the company is honouring its obligations.

“Nakumatt Holdings and the team are two different entities, though the company is our main sponsor. So far nothing has changed despite what is happening at the company.

“We are doing everything as before and as of today, all our players have been paid their salaries and allowances and we don’t expect anything to change,” he said.

He said the club is signing new players.

“We have already signed two players — Jackson Saleh, formerly of Western Stima, and Victor Okundu, who was at Talanta.

“For us it is business as usual because we have not been informed that things will change,” he said.

The club has an annual budget of Sh40 million and receives a grant of Sh8 million from KPL, meaning that Nakumatt Holdings pays the balance of Sh32 million.

Last season Nakumatt, which was then participating in the lower tier National Super League, offered its players one of the most competitive packages, therefore attracting top players who did not mind going down the rank as the pay was worth it.