Our local clubs suffer from ‘usikojoe hapa syndrome’

Gor Mahia Joakim Oluoch and Alex Orotomal of AFC Leopards battle for ball possession during their KPL derby at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani Stadium on Saturday 25/08/18 [Photo: Boniface Okendo,Standard]

It is not a coincidence that players from Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and the national team Harambee Stars are all complaining about unpaid salaries and allowances.

Kenyans are tired of hearing players boycotting training or absenting themselves without permission over unpaid dues.

Gor players warned of intentions to boycott training before their match against Thika United on Sunday, September 16. They executed their threat although coach Dylan Kerr cobbled up a team which lost 1 – 0.

A day after, AFC players issued similar threats unless their salaries were paid in full: They played but lost 3 – 1 against Kariobangi Sharks. Earlier on, Harambee Stars played Ghana’s Black Stars and won 1 – 0. But they too were grumbling about unpaid allowances.

The national team visited India, but players are yet to receive their allowances for that outing. Even if we were beaten by India, of all countries, a deal is a deal and those allowances should be paid.  

Just why are player salaries still dogging Kenya’s two big clubs over 50 years after their formation?  Defaulting on payment by cluband national team officials rubbishes the logic behind getting sponsors. These football teams have become a bottomless pit, where sponsors and supporters throw their money and get nothing in return.

I have watched Gor Mahia, Ingwe and Harambee Stars since the early 70s, and I can authoritatively say that the two clubs and national team are what the Swahili describe as “Sikio la kufa halisikii dawa.”

It does not matter what or how much you give them, player salaries won’t be duly paid. You can take that to the bank.

When it comes to money, coaches don’t fare any better — and the word ‘salary’ gives nightmares to football administrators in Kenya.

I recall when a sugar company had a sponsorship deal with a local community club. The salary clause shocked the officials. When they saw the draft, they frantically moved with speed to change the wording, but the sponsor was adamant. As usual, the club honchos wanted the sponsor to channel player salaries through the club’s accounts. But the sponsor was smarter and insisted on wiring the salaries directly to the players’ accounts. The club’s duty was just to send the list of registered players, copy of their contracts and individual bank accounts. Tosha!

Kenyans are tired of hearing players boycotting training or absenting themselves without permission over unpaid dues [Courtesy]

The sponsor’s fears were realised when club officials went ahead and misused the rest of the money meant for their recurrent expenditure. Shortly, they were running scared, unable to pay hotel bills and other overheads.

We are now back to familiar grounds, where despite the SportPesa sponsorship, both Gor and AFC are having issues with players’ salaries. Harambee Stars by extension are on familiar slippery ground of not settling little allowances. They have not even paid coach Sebastien Migne. Meanwhile, it must not escape us that former Gor Mahia player Allan Thigo claims he is still owed money for the services he rendered K’Ogalo back in the 80s.

Jacob Ghost Mulee too claims he was not paid some money despite taking Harambee Stars to Afcon games in 2004, the last time Kenya featured in the games. German technician Reinhard Fabisch died pursuing his money, while Bobby Williamson and Adel Amrouche moved to Fifa court over payment after offering services to Stars. Others are Paul Put who was wise enough to just take a walk. Former Stas Mohamed Kheri also claims he is still owed some cash.

Indeed the hyped Sports Act was a red herring pushed by CAF, but not supervised effectively. Among other things, the Act stipulates that clubs must have an acting CEO, junior teams, professionally licensed and qualified coaches, registered offices, player contracts or medical cover, in addition to harmonising their team calendars with Fifa.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) pretended to be serious and committed to the Act, even threatening clubs that fail to comply that they would be deregistered. Whoever thought the directive would be upheld does not live in Kenya, where we have the ‘Usikojoe hapa syndrome’, where people do the exact thing they have been warned against.