On Friday, Football Kenya Federation, FKF dropped a bombshell! A fifteen-man list of individuals, including players and coaches, suspected of involvement in match manipulation on the local scene.Since, the vice that has only been discussed in hushed tones has elicited open debate in online spaces with international media like Al Jazeera also giving it attention. Match-fixing or manipulation is a serious offense under FIFA rules and attracts harsh penalties, including a total ban from all football activities for those found guilty. Some countries have gone ahead to criminalize it, meaning you can serve a jail term for getting involved in match-fixing. Back in Kenya, some of the individuals who made the list of shame, have come out pleading innocence in the court of the public eye. One such player is former Muhoroni Youth and Zoo FC goalkeeper Daniel Kiptoo. In a statement, the custodian said the allegations have “deeply wounded me” and I “vehemently refute it.” FKF takes action against five suspected referees fixing games”I am fully aware of my obligation as a professional to carry out my responsibilities with honesty and integrity. I’ve always followed the rules and regulations set forth by FIFA, CAF, FKF, and the KPL. I will therefore not permit my reputation or the work I have put into developing my football career to be tarnished by the actions of a careless handful,” Kiptoo said in a long Facebook post. ##NAJAVA_MECA_6945254##”I have never participated in match result manipulation and never will. My conscience is completely clear, so if I’m ever asked to testify in any kind of hearing, I’ll be pleased to do so. I am open to and appreciate objectively motivated investigation notwithstanding any potential unfavorable press. I will work closely with the relevant agencies to ascertain the facts and assign blame for any prior misbehavior. I love football and I believe in fair play, both on and off the pitch. My conscience is clear.”Not only Too has spoken – Dennis Monda, a former Vihiga United player, also took to Facebook to plead innocence, saying his only sin was to be seen by an official of FKF in the company of Raymond Onyango, a neighbor, friend, and referee, who was serving a suspension over match-fixing. How greed for quick cash led to the downfall of suspended referee Collins Opiyo”If I was accused of having the wrong company and the same company is still a referee in Kenya….don’t look for a weakling to show that you are working…”The people involved in match-fixing are free, but you are okay with accusing an innocent person. If you find me guilty, then I should not even be allowed anywhere close to any footballing activity, but till then be a man and dig deeper and find the truth.”Meanwhile, Zoo FC chairman Ken Ochieng has hailed the purge, offering to cooperate with the FKF should they need any assistance in investigating the suspects. “As a club, we’re happy and supportive of the move by the FKF. If the accusations are based on the time the players were with us, then we are very willing to fully cooperate with FKF to ensure that any guilty person is kicked out of the game,” Ken told Mozzart Sport.