There are two factors that sent KPL to its death bed; the departure of pay-tv station Supersport and title sponsor Sportpesa. Supersport opted to leave after KPL and FKF could not agree on the number of teams to play in the top flight. Supersport was giving KPL players the much-needed exposure since the league’s matches were being aired all over the continent.
The departure of supersport gave an opportunity to Sportpesa to sponsor the league. The exit of Sportpesa implied that there would be no cash prize for the winners of the 2019/2020 season, there would be no trophy since Gor Mahia kept the one that was available after winning it three times in a row and there would be no money to pay match officials.
Just as the season was on its genesis KPL opted to pass the responsibility of paying match day officials to the home teams. This may attract match-fixing since sufficiently financially enabled teams may be tempted to compromise.
With only 16 rounds of matches played six walkovers have been given out and one team has already been relegated. Sony sugar is the worst hit being dropped to the lower league after giving out three walkovers, Chemilil is at the verge of being dropped after dishing out two walkovers while Nzoia sugar has given out one walkover.
All these are informed by the fact that the teams are not financially stable and the lack of a league sponsor who would be giving out monthly grants to help the teams run their day to day activities.
The worst hit teams by the exit of Sportpesa are Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards who were solely depending on the betting firm to pay salaries. The ripple effect is evident as the teams have already lost their best players due to the fact that they are not able to settle their salaries and allowances.
AFC Leopards have lost dependable players including Soter Kayumba, Whyvonne Isuza, Moses Mburu , Dennis Shikayi, Brian Marita , Ismaila Diara, Tresor Ndikumana , Vincent Habamahoro and their Coach Cassa Mbungo, on the other hand, Gor Mahia have lost Francis AFriye , Yikpe Gislain and Maurice Ojwang.
Sportpesa enabled English premier league sides Hull City and Everton come to Kenya to play KPL teams in a bid to market the league. Fans all over the country were treated to the rare opportunity of seeing EPL players at close proximity at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani.
With the Kenya premier league mandate running out sometime later this year something should be done sooner rather than later. If this doesn’t take effect soonest, the league will sink to rock bottom.