Former Bidco United striker John Kelwish Walubuka has shared his unsettling experiences with match-fixing approaches in the Kenyan scene.

In an interview with Buzz Sports, the forward who is set to finalize a move to National Super League side Nairobi United once the mid-season transfer window opens has revealed the pressure footballers face behind the scenes, particularly when it comes to betting and match manipulation.

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The former Sofapaka man discloses that during his time at Naivas FC, he was repeatedly approached by foreign individuals who sought to lure him into the world of illegal betting.

“During my time at Naivas, I was approached several times by foreign individuals who even showed me their betslips. They know how to manipulate people into agreeing to their schemes, carefully waiting for your response,” he recalled.

The striker says that the individuals behind such schemes often target players at their weakest moments, offering large sums of money in exchange for sabotaging matches.

“The temptation is real because they offer large sums of money that can make you question whether accepting their proposal for just one match is worth it. However, most players fail to see the bigger picture, as such money can ruin your career,” Walubuka explained.

One of the most striking incidents Walubuka shares was when he was offered Ksh 800,000 to fix a match, “On one occasion, they asked me not to score and for my team to lose, even though we were playing against a weaker opponent. Despite their offer of Ksh 800,000, I went on to score a brace,” Walubuka said proudly, emphasizing his refusal to compromise his integrity for money.

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Walubuka also revealed how match-fixers tend to focus on key players because they have the most influence on the outcome of a game, “They typically target key players who are the defenders, goalkeepers, and strikers.”

Kelwish reveals that those in the local scene are also involved in the match-fixing scheme, “The people who approached me are foreigners though they also have Kenyans who work for them, these acts are not good for players.”

Though Walubuka’s decision to reject these offers might have been difficult, he believes it is vital for players to understand the long-term consequences of such actions. “I made it clear that I don’t participate in betting or match-fixing, and I immediately blocked them,” he said. “You can’t let these individuals compromise your career.”

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