Kenya police recommend fraud charges for football chiefs

Kenya police have recommended the country’s top football bosses be charged with conspiracy to defraud, the state prosector said Monday.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Sam Nyamweya, secretary-general Michael Esakwa and acting finance manager Samson Cherop are being investigated over an alleged fraud attempt involving sums totalling over $168,000 (153,000 euro).

The police “recommend that the suspects be charged with offences of conspiracy to defraud” a statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) read, adding it would review evidence before making any decision.

Kenya’s football team nearly missed its World Cup qualifier return leg in Cape Verde last month after players said FKF failed to pay allowances and to refund expenses incurred by players based overseas.

Earlier this month the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Ethics Commission launched a probe into graft allegations at Kenya’s national athletics federation, Athletics Kenya (AK).