Nairobi Stima not disbanded, club chairman clarifies
Ushuru midfielder Edwin Wanjala (right) vies for the ball with Nairobi Stima midfielder Patrick Mugendi during their National Super League match at Camp Toyoyo grounds in Nairobi on February 1, 2020.
What you need to know:
- In one of the contract termination letters seen by Nation Sport and signed by Sakwa, the club thanked players for their services.
- “This is to inform you that your contract with Nairobi Stima Welfare Club Football club is terminated from June 30, 2020 as per clause 2.1 TERMINATION BY THE CLUB part e (without notice or payment in lieu of notice when the club is dissolved as a result of withdrawal of sponsorship by sponsor).
Nairobi Stima chairman Johnstone Sakwa has dismissed claims that the team has been disbanded after losing the sponsorship of Kenya Power Company (KPLC) and terminating the contract of all its players.
Sakwa said that despite the loss of sponsorship, there are negotiations going on to ensure the club survives and get a new sponsor.
He revealed that he will hold a meeting on Tuesday with stakeholders to ensure the team continues being financially stable.
KPLC on June 30 also terminated its sponsorship to the Kenyan Premier League side Western Stima and National Super League side Coast Stima.
The company cited low revenue returns on its business due to the negative effects of coronavirus pandemic as the main reason for its withdrawal.
”The team is still there and has not been disbanded as it is being portrayed. As an employee of KPLC, I want to state that the company did a lot for Nairobi Stima all these years and we can’t castigate its withdrawal caused by the harsh economic situation ,” said Sakwa.
“I will be having a meeting with stakeholders to talk about the issue and way forward for the team. As at now I can’t reveal much because the negotiations will be on various issues which will then inform our decision concerning the fate of Nairobi Stima,” he added.
In one of the contract termination letters seen by Nation Sport and signed by Sakwa, the club thanked players for their services.
“This is to inform you that your contract with Nairobi Stima Welfare Club Football club is terminated from June 30, 2020 as per clause 2.1 TERMINATION BY THE CLUB part e (without notice or payment in lieu of notice when the club is dissolved as a result of withdrawal of sponsorship by sponsor).
“We want to thank you for the services rendered to the club,” said the termination letter.
Nairobi Stima was one of the teams who had a chance of being promoted to the Kenyan Premier League before coronavirus hit the country in March and led to a halt of all sporting events.
