End hooliganism in local football

Football in Kenya has two distinctive features. Firstly, it seems to be the only sporting activity in the country which generates riots.

Secondly, while Kenya has distinguished itself as one of the leading athletics nations of the world, the standard of Kenyan football is distressingly mediocre.

Football in Kenya is primarily an outlet for pent-up tribal chivalry and rivalry. General ignorance of the rules of the game on the part of officials, referees as well as fans also contribute to riots at football matches.

So when betting firm SportPesa recently suspended their sponsorship with Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards over hooliganism, it elicited mixed reactions on social media.

While many agreed with Sportpesa over the suspension, others thought the move was ill-advised, a knee jerk reaction that only works in the short-term. As I see it, the betting company was justified. There should be no room for hooliganism in football, period.