Players from the Kenya Women’s Premier League (KWPL) side Trans Nzoia Falcons, have accused club officials of sexual harassment a day after being forcefully evicted from their apartments.
The decision by the officials to throw them out of their rental houses after their 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Vihiga Queens caused a public outcry.
Speaking during a crisis meeting that was disrupted by a rowdy crowd at the Kitale showground on Monday, January 9, 2023, some of the women disclosed that the club patron had made sexual advances towards them.
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One of the players, who is a student from Kitale Polytechnic, argued that the Patron wanted to get her pregnant by all means.
“He wanted to make me pregnant, but I declined. He got angry and stopped paying my rent. I took my belongings and took them home. He uses the club’s money to win the girls here,” stated the former Wadadia player.
Another player told the meeting that was convened by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) that the club patron also made sexual approaches toward her despite him being in a relationship with her teammate.
“The patron also wanted to have me, but I told him that he cannot share us. I told him that my teammate was not even talking to me because of his behavior,” she ended.
Acting Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Doris Petra, via a phone call to the players, promised to support the Falcons.
“I want to tell the girls to open their hearts and say all the issues that are affecting them. As a federation, we cannot allow our players to be harassed in any way.
“We are ready to protect these girls and if the county government is ready, the federation is willing to work with them,” stated Petra.
The Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) had earlier issued a statement condemning the mistreatment of the players by the officials.
“We have noted with a lot of concern the inhumane act by the management of Trans-Nzoia Falcons FC, where they threw out players from their residential camp after their match against Vihiga Queens, citing dismal performance.
“We strongly condemn and are deeply saddened to hear of such acts in an era, where the advocacy of rights and welfare of players globally are strongly guided.
“No cause can justify such brutality and such, we are working in partnership with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to engage the club and tackle the issue at hand,” read part of the statement from KEFWA.
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