FKF suspends Falcons over sexual abuse claims
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has provisionally suspended Women Premier League side Trans Nzoia Falcons FC for a month from the current campaign following claims of sexual harassment in their camp.
FKF is conducting independent investigations to ascertain the nature of the vice against the team with alleged reports indicating that some officials were taking advantage of the player’s financial plight to exploit them. The players who spoke to the Media in Kitale a couple of days ago named on camera two officials who had been soliciting sex from them and failure to adhere to demands landed them in intimidation.
The team situation got worse last weekend following their 3-0 loss against defending Champions Vihiga Queens. After the match, the players returned to find their property thrown out of the shared houses thus eliciting a huge outcry. The affected players claimed that on match day, they had no meals and that other dehumanizing acts have been happening to them.
FKF on Monday had held a crisis meeting with the team staff thus coming up with the decision as an interrogation on the matter continues. Part of the itinerary of the meeting held at Kitale Showground included Kitale County Government staffers under the Sports Department plus team officials as the Federation looked to get to the bottom of the matter.
However, interestingly, the complainants were also accused by a Senior Club official of showing disrespect to the technical bench. Speaking to People Sport on condition of anonymity, an insider bemoaned the general attitude of players who had lately resorted to insulting officials and even going on a go-slow due to issues of finances.
Club Chairman Moses Ngeywa while admitting monetary challenges were affecting his team however distanced himself from the sexual innuendos that had rocked the club. “This issue is simply not true because as the person running this team,I know what happens. Everything has got to do with limited funds because the County Government does not assist as promised. For six years, we have had to source for our own means,” he said.
FKF Women Representative Margaret Odhiambo has formed an interim committee to run the team on short notice given the myriad issues. “We can already understand the on-goings and for now the team is suspended from playing for the next month,” stated the National Executive Committee member.
