Club chairmen “loyal” to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) secretly met at Serena Hotel, Nairobi last Friday to moot breaking away from the Kenyan Premier League, it has emerged.
Kariobangi Sharks chairman Robert Maoga arranged the informal meeting through chairmen’s WhatsApp group, as disclosed by one chairman who attended.
Kariobangi Sharks, Thika United, Chemelil Sugar, Posta Rangers, Nakumatt FC, Wazito FC and AFC Leopards were represented.
It followed captains’ meeting that was also allegedly sponsored by FKF to “rock” cash strapped KPL, Barry Otieno, the organization’s media officer has since denied the claims.
The initial agenda of the chairmen’s gathering was to ponder over a “cup of tea” the current status of the Kenya’s topflight but the session discussed at length how they could break away from KPL to financial freedom.
KPL, whose mandate to run the league expires in two years time, is currently cash strapped after losing their broadcast partner and title sponsor and can no longer pay monthly grants to clubs some of whom are on the verge of total collapse.
“The clubs chairmen were promised that if they agree to breakaway then there’s a consortium willing to buy KPL broadcast rights and they will get money,” a source told Soka25east.
However, they were made aware of glaring legal obstacles they would face if they make a move.
“They were informed that if they make good their plan then they will get relegated to the National Super League as KPL is basically FKF Premier League.”
“The clubs would also be liable to breach of contract with Media Pro, the Spanish company they blindly signed a long term TV production contract with.”
From our own independent investigations, the consortium consists of pay TV providers Bamba Sport, foreign betting firm Betway and River Bank Solutions, a company associated with the FKF president Nick Mwendwa.
“Bamba Sport is tabling Kshs 156,000,000 a year-deal for all KPL media rights then they will offer River Bank OTT television (internet) rights to explore.
“Basically, Bamba Sports don’t have the money; once they acquire the rights, they will sell them to third parties and use the money to pay KPL,” the source added.
KPL previously rejected wholesome sale of rights as they want to explore different rights namely pay TV, Free to Air, OTT TV and radio separately for maximum gain.
After Supersport quit as KPL’s broadcast partner last season, Bamba Sports stepped in in a short six-month deal worth Kshs 36m, nonetheless, KPL lamented delays in payment and Bamba’s poor quality production.
Bamba did not bid for the rights when KPL floated them late last year with only StarTimes showing interest.
Like Bamba, StarTimes were also demanding wholesome sale of rights after realizing they were the only player on board.
Media Pro in a partnership involving LaLiga is currently producing KPL matches for free distribution to Free to Air stations.
The long term intention is to use the wider reach of the FTAs to build a KPL brand worth investing in.
Meanwhile, Sportpesa have stepped up their offer to Kshs 92m per season to return as KPL title sponsors from previous Kshs 75m but KPL are negotiating for Kshs 100m.
