KPL must treat all teams in the local league equally

Courtesy of The Standard

Even before the dust settles on the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) ‘war’ with Football Kenya Limited over the appointment of referees to officiate KPL matches, another can of worms has been opened.

Earlier, AFC Leopards were set to host Mathare United in a KPL tie at Coca Cola National Stadium on Saturday. However, the match has been allegedly switched to Kasarani, Mathare United’s home ground, a fact that has made Leopards to protest.

KPL management gave reasons that the sudden change of venue has been made to enable Supersport assemble their equipment for airing the match live at Kasarani since Coca Cola Stadium would not be available on Sunday.

Leopards suggested that they wanted the match played at Coca Cola Stadium even if it is not televised, a fact that did not go well with KPL CEO Jack Oguda who has decided to use Leopard’s protest as a secret tool to settle personal scores and intimidate the club.

In a stray e-mail from Oguda to KPL chairman Bob Munro, which was ‘erroneously’ sent to Leopards, Oguda said ‘They have hit the nail in the coffin." This begs the question: "Whose coffin and who made the coffin so that Leopards hits the nail in?"

The revelation speaks volumes about the underhand dealings that could have been happening in the local premiership. Should things continue this way, community clubs and others perceived to be ‘enemies’ of KPL top brass may not have a place in the KPL.

If there were any issues, the matter should have been tabled before KPL Management Board and not have KPL CEO seeking the opinion of an individual (chairman) which puts KPL’s credibility in question.

As things hot up, the wisest thing the KPL CEO should do is to step aside and let those with the interest of the game at heart manage the sport.