Latest news with #FootballKenyaFederation
CAF
30-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
From 1987 to now: Kenya's young journalists embrace CHAN 2024 spotlight
When Kenya last hosted a major continental sporting event—the All-Africa Games in 1987—many of the country's current sports journalists hadn't even been born. Some were toddlers, others only dreams in their parents' minds. Now, nearly four decades later, a new generation of reporters will live their own moment of history as Kenya co-hosts the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, alongside neighbors Uganda and Tanzania. For young and seasoned journalists alike, the month-long tournament is more than just another assignment—it's a powerful symbol of pride, opportunity, and long-awaited fulfillment. 'This is a big opportunity. It's been a long time coming and is a great build-up to AFCON 2027,' says Jeff Kinyanjui, veteran journalist and Head of Communications at Football Kenya Federation (FKF). 'This tournament offers local media personnel a platform to learn CAF operations and tournament coverage. It's also a chance to interact with some of the continent's brightest football talents—many of whom could go on to become world-class stars.' From Missed Chances to a Defining Moment Kenya came close to hosting major football events twice before—AFCON 1996 and CHAN 2018—but both were lost due to unpreparedness. CHAN 2024 now marks a redemptive moment not only for Kenyan football but also for its growing media ecosystem. 'It's not just about journalism,' Kinyanjui adds. 'It's about capacity building for the whole East African region and fostering continental connections. It has been a tough learning curve for most of us, beginning with the accreditation processes like accessing the media channel and all. "For most of our colleagues, this is their first time experiencing this. We have learnt a lot even before the first ball is kicked on the field.' A Long Journey from Radio to the Press Box Veteran broadcaster Daniel Wahome, now a senior editor at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), recalls listening to the 1987 All-Africa Games on a radio at his grandfather's homestead. CHAN 2024 completes a full-circle moment for him. 'It's an incredible honor. Not just to witness this moment but to help shape it. This is also our chance to tell the East African story—our culture, our people—and share it with the world,' Wahome reflects. Covering Home Soil Feels Different Veteran editor Chris Mbaisi, former president of the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK), has reported from the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. But even with over 25 years in the profession, CHAN 2024 strikes a special chord. 'There's nothing quite like covering a tournament your own country is hosting. It's personal. It's a moment of pride—and a chance to tell Kenya's story our way,' Mbaisi says. A Generation's First Big Break For 25-year-old digital media reporter Tabitha Makumi, CHAN 2024 is more than just a tournament—it's a career milestone. 'It feels surreal to walk into a stadium and cover these games as a journalist,' she says. 'This is a chance to showcase young Kenyan talent and tell Africa's football story to the world. It also allows us to exchange ideas with colleagues from across the continent. For example, I get to learn how a journalist from Nigeria connects with their audience, and share how we do it here and so on. "It's a beautiful blend of storytelling cultures. Over and beyond, it will be a proud moment for me to put it in my CV that I was part of this CHAN.' A Celebration of Storytelling and Continental Culture CAF has accredited over 250 Kenyan journalists, with nearly 800 media professionals expected to cover the tournament across the three host nations. For Kenya's media, CHAN 2024 represents more than football—it's a generational leap, a cultural statement, and a shared moment of African unity.
Arab News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Kenyan referee suspended over protest violence allegation
NAIROBI: Kenya's football association confirmed Saturday it had suspended one of its referees over social media clips appearing to show the official harassing protesters in the capital. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Tensions have risen in the east African country ahead of the anniversary of last year's massive Gen Z-led demonstrations, with small rallies breaking out in Nairobi this week. Demonstrators were attacked by armed thugs known as 'goons' during anti-police brutality protests in the city on Tuesday. The scenes, widely recorded and shared on social media, have provoked fury in Kenya. Football Kenya Federation's (FKF) county sub-branch chairman Bernard Omondi confirmed to AFP they had 'launched an investigation' against one of their Nairobi-based referees. The individual, who AFP is not naming but who adjudicates lower league matches, was investigated 'after video footage, which was widely circulated on social media, identified his participation in the aggression against the protesting youth and the police on Tuesday,' Omondi said. 'He will not be allowed to referee any matches,' Omondi said, adding that he would appear before the body's disciplinary committee. 'Further action will be taken against him after a hearing,' he added. Kenyan football has long been mired in corruption and match-fixing scandals, with players and officials suspended over the years. In 2021, the government disbanded the national football federation over corruption allegations and sought to prosecute its officials.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Second time lucky for Benni McCarthy and Orlando Pirates? Kenya says no . . . for now
FILE - Kenya national team coach Benni McCarthy has been linked with Orlando Pirates. Image: Backpagepix While reports swirl about Benni McCarthy returning to South Africa to take up the vacant Orlando Pirates job, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is adamant that their national team coach is staying put. The former Bafana Bafana striker has been linked to the job after Jose Riveiro announced he would be leaving at the end of the season. Riveiro will be on the touchline for the final time on Tuesday evening when Pirates take on Golden Arrows in a Betway Premiership match. Riveiro is reportedly set to become the new coach of Egyptian giants Al Ahly, with a big-money offer apparently on the table to replace Swiss coach Marcel Koller, who was sacked by the club. McCarthy had been previously linked with the Pirates job, revealing in December that he actually had talks to join the Buccaneers even before Riveiro was appointed as head coach in 2022. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Kenya 🇰🇪 might not qualify for the 2026 World Cup but one important fact is that they now have a coach who can rebuild the team and make it great again. Benni Mccarthy has got approval from Kenyan fans and that is an important aspect for any coach. It's important to give him… — Collins Okinyo (@bedjosessien) March 24, 2025 'There was [a chance] once upon a time, way before Jose Riveiro came to Pirates,' McCarthy said in a radio interview. 'I did speak with the chairman [Dr Irvin Khoza]. It was almost a done deal; it was kind of me going back to coach the Orlando Pirates. But I think the chairman at the last minute decided to go for someone with more experience because, like I said, I didn't have a lot of coaching experience back then 'If I was given that opportunity with that Pirates team, I think there would have been fireworks. But that was the closest I came to coaching Pirates and after that, it was just always rumours. 'People were connecting me to coaching Pirates and Chiefs. When there is a vacancy my name gets thrown in, but I think it was also to attract other coaches when it looked like Benni McCarthy is close to signing for one of those two teams.' Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy thinks the Red Devils can qualify for Champions League this season: #Barclaysmen — CNN Sports (@cnnsport) September 13, 2024 After serving as Manchester United's assistant coach under Erik ten Hag, McCarthy was appointed as head coach of Kenya. He took charge of the team in March, drawing a World Cup qualifier against Gambia before going down 2-1 to Gabon. Now McCarthy is once again being linked to the Pirates job. But the Kenyan football authorities are not having it, saying that McCarthy has not approached them to get out of his contract. "Benni is still contracted to the Football Kenya Federation as the Harambee Stars coach," FKF head of communications Jeff Kinyanjui told KickOff. "We haven't received anything, Benni is contracted to the FKF." @JohnGoliath82
Arab News
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Kenya probes goalkeeper match-fixing allegation
NAIROBI: Kenya opened a match-fixing investigation Thursday following allegations that a national team goalkeeper helped rig an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has provisionally suspended goalkeeper Patrick Matasi from all FKF-sanctioned events and competitions for 90 days, following concerns raised by circulating videos suggesting possible match manipulation. Read more: — Football Kenya Federation (@Football_Kenya) March 27, 2025 The secretly filmed online amateur video seen by AFP shows an unnamed man talking to Matasi over a plan to fix a match in return for cash. The former AFC Leopards and Tusker goalkeeper, who also had a playing stint with Ethiopian side Coffee Sports Club, played in Kenya's 4-1 loss to former African champions Cameroon in a 2025 AFCON qualifier in Yaounde last October. The defeat dimmed Kenya's hopes of qualifying for the finals in Morocco, and led to the resignation of the team's coach Engin Firat. Matasi was dropped from the team by the new coach Benni McCarthy and did not feature in the recent 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon. Kenyan football has been hit by the dark shadow of match-fixing malpractices in the recent past with 14 players and two coaches suspended by the FKF in January 2023 following a tip-off about cheating in the national league. In February 2020, FIFA banned four Kenyan-based players — one for life — over an 'international conspiracy' to fix league matches. Five Kenyan referees were also later suspended over the same scandal. The Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis, an independent think tank, warned that match-fixing had infiltrated multiple levels of Kenyan football from grassroots competitions to the professional leagues. 'This has left a trail of disillusionment among fans and undermined the integrity of football and could lead to loss of public trust and confidence in the football industry,' the organization said in a January 2024 report.
