Three match-fixing suspects, 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 citizen Akhiad Kubiev, Ugandan Bernard Nabende, and Kenyan Martin Munga Mutua-were arraigned at Makadara Law Courts before Principal Magistrate Eric Mutunga and denied the allegations of cheating pursuant to Section 315 of the Criminal Code.
According to the charge sheet, “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 considered as match-fixing in a football game in any part of the world.”
They were arrested as part of an operation by Kenya Police, Nation Media Group, and City Stars footballers from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.
They allegedly promised Sh1.8 million to City Stars players and management in order to manipulate their league match against Sofapaka on March 10, 2023.
As part of the deception, they were to receive Sh30,000 each via 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 having infiltrated several local clubs.
