Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Deputy President Macdonald Mariga has addressed the ongoing challenges faced by Kenyan football players who have gone months without pay. Speaking on Thursday, Mariga assured the football community that resolving these financial issues is a top priority for the newly elected FKF administration.
The timing of this commitment is critical, as Kenya prepares to host the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) in August 2025, a tournament exclusively for players competing in their domestic leagues. Mariga emphasized the need for player motivation and welfare as the nation gears up for the prestigious continental event.
A Call to Resolve Player Salary Arrears
Mariga acknowledged the pressing issue of unpaid wages in local football, a problem that has plagued clubs across the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) and the National Super League (NSL). The deputy president committed to initiating dialogue with affected clubs to ensure that all arrears are cleared.
“We have just completed one month in office, and this is an issue we are determined to address. We want the players to be motivated so that they can give their best to the national team when called upon, and therefore, the arrears have to be paid,” Mariga said.
His statement came shortly after the Kenya Football Welfare Association (KEFWA) raised concerns about clubs failing to honor contractual obligations. KEFWA urged its members to report cases of unpaid salaries and pledged to provide legal assistance where necessary.
KEFWA’s Role in Advocating for Players
KEFWA, the body representing football players’ welfare in Kenya, has been vocal about the plight of players enduring financial hardship. The association revealed that it had received numerous complaints from its members about unpaid wages and urged players to formally report these incidents.
“We are committed to supporting our members and ensuring that clubs respect their contracts. This issue cannot continue if we want football in Kenya to progress,” a KEFWA representative said.
KEFWA’s collaboration with FKF is expected to create a framework for resolving disputes, ensuring that players receive their dues in a timely manner.
Preparations for CHAN 2025
As Kenya prepares to host CHAN 2025, Mariga stressed the importance of having motivated players who are ready to represent the national team. The deputy president assured that only the best talent from FKFPL and NSL would be considered for the Harambee Stars squad.
“We are determined to field the best players for CHAN. This tournament is an opportunity to showcase the depth of talent in our local leagues,” Mariga said.
We cannot be scared of the opponents, I think we’ll do well in this group, FKF VC Mariga speaks on Kenya’s CHAN2024 grouping pic.twitter.com/zFgaKI11mx
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) January 16, 2025
He also confirmed that interim coach Francis Kimanzi would continue leading the team for now, as discussions to appoint a permanent manager remain ongoing. The postponement of the CHAN tournament, originally scheduled for earlier in the year, has given the federation additional time to prepare the team.
“At the moment, we will still have Kimanzi as the interim coach since nothing has been finalized with any other coach. We are glad that the CHAN tournament was postponed because it gives us more time to prepare the team and for the coaches to understand their players,” Mariga added.
Building Towards a Successful Tournament
Kenya faces a challenging group in CHAN 2025, but Mariga expressed confidence that proper preparations could yield positive results. “We are in a tough group, but with good preparations, I believe the team can perform well,” he stated.
The deputy president outlined plans to ensure that Harambee Stars are adequately prepared, including scheduling high-quality friendly matches and providing the team with the necessary resources.
Mariga also highlighted the federation’s intention to foster transparency and accountability in its dealings with clubs, players, and stakeholders. This approach, he noted, would create an environment conducive to improving the overall standard of Kenyan football.
A Critical Juncture for Kenyan Football
The issue of unpaid player salaries has long been a stumbling block for the development of football in Kenya. Addressing this challenge is not only vital for player welfare but also for elevating the country’s footballing reputation on the continental stage.
As the CHAN tournament draws closer, the FKF’s commitment to resolving financial disputes and ensuring adequate preparations will be key to Harambee Stars’ success. With Mariga at the helm of these efforts, Kenyan football may finally take the steps necessary to overcome longstanding challenges and reach new heights.
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