Three match-fixing suspects, who were arrested in Roysambu, Nairobi on Friday night, were Monday released on a bond of Sh300,000 with two sureties of a similar amount.
The trio- Russian national Akhiad Kubiev, Ugandan Bernard Nabende and Kenyan Martin Munga Mutua denied the charges of match-fixing contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code when they appeared before Principal Magistrate Eric Mûtûnga at Makadara Law Courts on Monday.
The charges read: “On diverse dates between February 3, 2023, and March 10, 2023, in Roysambu area within Kasarani sub-county of Nairobi county, jointly with others not before court conspired to commit a felony namely cheating, an act which is considered a match-fixing in football game in any part of the world.”
They was arrested following an operation involving the Kenya Police, Nation Media Group, and footballers attached to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League side City Stars.
They had allegedly promised City Stars players and management Sh1.8 million to manipulate their league match against Sofapaka on March 10, 2023.
As part of the ploy, they were to first receive Sh30, 000 each through Mpesa as transport to the match venue.
The suspects, who allegedly bragged to the police that they are “well connected”, before attempting to bribe them with Sh1 million, admitted to have infiltrated several local clubs.
