Former Kenya U20 international Brian Wepo has opened up on the mistreatment he went through when he was in the book of FKF Premier League side Sofapaka FC.
Now turning out for National Super League side Darajani Gogo, Wepo speaking on Tiki Taka Show opened up about his traumatic experience at Sofapaka, detailing how the club’s failure to honor his contract broke both his spirit and finances.
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“When I joined Sofapaka, my contract included a KSh 600,000 signing fee and a monthly salary higher than what I was earning at KCB. But that signing fee was just on paper I never received it,” Wepo shared. “Had they paid me as agreed, I would still have the savings I made while at KCB. Honestly, I don’t think I’d be playing for Darajani Gogo right now if they had honored the deal. To date, I haven’t been paid a single cent.”
Like many young players eager to play at the highest level, Wepo admits he rushed into signing the contract, lured by promises that quickly turned empty.
“They kept saying ‘we’ll pay you next week,’ and I believed them because I trusted them. That ‘next week’ never came,” he added.
While at Sofapaka, the former KCB defender featured in 27 matches during the season but says he was only ever paid a KSh 5,000 winning allowance on a few occasions. That wasn’t even enough to cover his basic needs.
“How do you pay rent, buy food, or help your family with that?” he asked. “It was not just me. Many players were going through the same. Maybe some were paid but I was not. Even our former coach can confirm this.”
Life at Sofapaka became unbearable and according to the player, the club demanded results on the pitch but showed no concern for players’ welfare off it.
“On matchdays, you’re expected to win. But when you lose, no one asks how you will get home. No one checks how you get to training. You reach out to the team manager and he sends you KSh 300 that can not even sustain someone for a day,” he said.
Eventually, Wepo was forced to rely on savings from his time at KCB, and later, on financial support from his family.
“Imagine your family and village mates watching you on TV, believing you’ve made it but behind the scenes, you’re broke. When my parents asked for help, I had nothing to give. They started thinking I just didn’t want to help but that was not the case. At some point, they had to start sending me money,” he revealed. “I decided enough was enough. I left and went back to Nzoia Sugar to start fresh.”
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Wepo’s journey has shown him the brutal reality many players face and also who truly has their back. When he left KCB, many friends disappeared. Only four remained close: Erick “Marcelo” Ouma of Rakow Czestochowa, KCB captain Brian Mutinda, Mathare United’s Kilume, and Rama from Coastal Union.
“Marcelo is one of the best friends I have, he is a good person, no matter what people say. Those four stood by me through it all,” Wepo said gratefully.
Though he dreams of a return to the top flight, one thing is certain Wepo will never return to Sofapaka.
“I would rather stay at Darajani Gogo for the rest of my career. If it means playing second tier forever, so be it but I will never wear that jersey again. They made me hate football,” he stated firmly.
Despite being owed close to KSh 3 million, Wepo never reported the matter to FIFA, a decision he says is rooted in fear and reflection of the previous cases within the club.
“I have seen players take them to FIFA and disappear after. Maybe they got the money, but the bad energy that I think comes with it. I did not want that. I chose to let it go.”
The former Green Commandos left back now hopes his story serves as a lesson for other players, “When signing a contract, make sure your signing bonus is paid first. Do not be blinded by big names, understand your situation. Protect yourself.”
As he continues his journey with Darajani Gogo where he’s been in impressive form racking in assists that sees him among the top assisters in the 2nd tier, Wepo finds peace in honesty, hard work, and a team that values him, “My current team pays me exactly what we agreed on. They don’t owe me anything and for that, I salute them, it might be less but they pay me on time.”
The left back is now focused on giving his best for the club and dreams of guiding them to the top flight, “The club has given me a second chance in football, they made me feel at home everyone loves me here from the coaches, players and the stuff, guiding them to the top-flight is a thing that would made me happy, they’ve made me be back to my feet and on the map in football.”
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