Why KPL is literally on its deathbed

Sofapaka FC Sammy Imbuze writhes in pain during KPL match against KCB at Kenyatta Stadium Machakos on Wednesday, Jan 8, 2020. KCB won 2-1. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The Kenya Premier League is facing one of its toughest financial tests in recent years. The topflight football is literally on its deathbed.

From the withdrawal of sponsorship, lack of prize money, inability to procure the 2019/20 season trophy to teams skipping matches and failure to pay players’ salaries, the once vibrant league in East and Central Africa appears to have lost its allure.

Ever since betting firm SportPesa pulled the plug on all its sports sponsorships last year, things have not been rosy for Kenyan football.

And the coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the world has now made the situation in the domestic league worse.

Even as President Uhuru Kenyatta recently directed the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage to set aside Sh100 million to cushion local artistes from the effects of the pandemic, it is not lost on many that the KPL clubs are in a dire financial crisis.

Since the league was suspended last month after the directive by the government to ban public gatherings for 30 days, followed by a dusk-to-dawn curfew and the cessation of movement in and out of Nairobi, Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa counties for 21 days as a precautionary measure against the spread of the deadly virus, the clubs have started running into cash-flow problems.

While the already struggling clubs are missing out on gate collections and sponsorship money, it is difficult for the players as the pandemic has turned their daily lives upside down.

With no hope of any income in terms of salaries, match and training allowances/ bonuses, majority of the players and their families are in a desperate situation. The suffering is too much that some players have either had their houses locked due to rent arrears, or struggle to fend for their families.

Save for Wazito and other institutional teams like Tusker, KCB and Bandari that are paying their players’ salaries in full, most of the clubs are feeling the impact of Covid-19.

While Kakamega Homeboyz and Sofapaka players have agreed to take a 50 per cent pay cut, their counterparts in Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have not been paid their salaries for almost four months. With a monthly wage bill of Sh5 million (Gor Mahia) and Sh4.2 million (AFC Leopards), and reports emerging that a section of K’Ogalo players are plotting to leave the record champions, the two oldest clubs are facing one of their toughest tests in recent times.

Gor Mahia treasurer Sally Bolo who is saddened by the situation admits that this has become a true reflection of Kenyan football.  

“Right now, the clubs are generating nothing but even before Covid-19, most of the clubs were struggling to sustain themselves and pay players’ salaries. Like in our situation, we were getting peanuts from the gate collections due to fan apathy. And now, things in Kenyan football have gone from bad to worse,” Bolo told Standard Sports.

“I know many people always think Gor Mahia is a big club and should not depend on sponsors, but with a wage bill of five million shillings and four months arrears, where can we get such money?

She added: “I really pity our players. Most probably they don’t have money now to buy food and pay rent. But as officials, we don’t know what to do because even our personal businesses have been severely affected. Prior to this, we had problems so coming out of it will be difficult.

“I’m also grateful to the players because they have been patient with us since SportPesa left. I understand them and I sympathise with their situation, but they should be patient as we see what comes out after the pandemic.”

Asked if she is aware of the looming player exodus at K’Ogalo after they were paid only Sh3,000 last month, the official said: “It is within their right to leave because as management, we have been unable to meet our end of the bargain. It is, however, not our making. We have not run away from them, but it’s the situation that had dictated matters,” said Bolo.

 “The Sh3,000 send by the chairman last month was not a salary but just a token for the players. There was some communication breakdown and I think that’s why the players were shocked.”

Just like Bolo, Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula’s businesses have been affected by the pandemic, and he has requested his players to take a 50 per cent pay cut effective April 1.

“As a businessman, I have been seriously affected by the pandemic. I talked to the players and they all accepted a 50 per cent pay cut effective April 1 until the situation normalises. It is better we agree on a salary that I’m sure I will pay during these hard times than lie to them,” said Shimanyula.

But even as the officials continue to complain over the impact of the pandemic, AFC Leopards coach Anthony Kimani and Gor captain Kenneth Muguna feel the players remain the biggest victims.

“The game has been hit hard financially. I think the teams will now struggle more because there are those that used to benefit on match and training allowances. But now, that’s something you cannot guarantee because no matches and trainings are going on. In essence, the players are missing out on a lot of money,” said Kimani.

“It’s a very difficult situation not only financially but also mentally because it has affected our daily lives. We have been out without training and matches for weeks now,” added Muguna.