Kefwa considers taking action against Wazito
Former Kenyan international James Situma at the Zetech University on September 19, 2019 where he has enrolled for a course in Business Administration. PHOTO | COURTESY |
What you need to know:
- National Super League side Ushuru terminated contracts of 20 players early June.
- “The players (Ushuru’s) have a strong case against the club and we are also working to ensure that they are compensated because they had a binding contract with Ushuru,”he said.
The Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (Kefwa) has warned that it will take action against clubs that breach players’ contracts.
This is after Kenya Premier League side, Wazito on Monday unprocedurally axed 12 players without committing to settle their dues for the remainder of their contracts.
The players released for what the club blamed on harsh economic terms caused by the coronavirus pandemic have demanded that the club settle all their dues.
They are winger Victor Ndinya, Teddy Osok, striker Derrick Otanga, goalkeepers Steve Njung’e and Kevin Omondi.
Others are foreigners Augustine Otu (Liberia), Piscas Kirenge (DR Congo), Issifou Bourahana (Togo) and Paul Acquah (Ghana).
They said that their contracts were terminated without notice as required by labour laws and that the release letters issued by the club did not explain how they would be paid their dues.
Kefwa chairman James Situma on Thursday said they have initiated the process of addressing the matter and that they will involve the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Players Status Committee if need be.
“The clubs must respect the agreement between them and the players. Also terminating players’ contracts without following the right procedure is not allowed,” said Situma.
He also lashed out at Wazito’s owner Ricardo Badoer for lacking respect to Kenyan players after the tycoon used unpalatable words on social media while referring to the 12 players who were axed by the club.
“Those are not the kind of words you use to describe players who have done duty to your club. It is lack of respect to our members, which we strongly condemn,” said the former Kenya international and Tusker defender.
Wazito becomes the second club where Kefwa is involved in for unprocedural release of players since the coronavirus pandemic struck.
National Super League side Ushuru terminated contracts of 20 players early June.
“The players (Ushuru’s) have a strong case against the club and we are also working to ensure that they are compensated because they had a binding contract with Ushuru,”he said.
