On Thursday, 27 March, a video that surfaced online shocked the sporting world.The covert recording appeared to show Harambee Stars goalkeeper Patrick Matasi negotiating to fix an undisclosed match.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsIn the footage, Matasi is allegedly instructed to concede two goals in the first half in exchange for cash or undisclosed favors.##NAJAVA_MECA_8883771##A month after the storm began, the man behind the whistle has stepped into the light.Kiarie Mbugua, known among friends as Tosh, Wuod Min Shiko, or Jamboka, has come forward to explain why he exposed the veteran shot-stopper.Kiarie, a football lover turned anti-match-fixing crusader, noted that his decision was driven by a deep love for the game.“My work is not just about exposing wrongdoers. It is about creating a culture where match-fixing is not tolerated. Football is more than just a game to many people in Kenya. It’s about hope, community, and pride. We cannot let a few bad actors destroy that,” he shared with Game Ni 90.Confident Amos Wanjala backs Rising Stars to shine at AFCON U20 in EgyptA former player himself, Kiarie once donned the jersey of Urusi Under-14 before school duties took over.He would later become a diehard supporter of Kericho-based Zoo FC, celebrating their 2017 promotion to the Kenyan Premier League with unmatched zeal.But everything changed in 2021 when six Zoo FC players were implicated in a match-fixing scandal by FIFA and expelled from the league.That betrayal sparked a lifelong mission in him to protect the game’s integrity.”Seeing the players I had once supported so passionately being involved in match-fixing was a blow. I knew then that I could not sit by and watch the game I loved be tainted,” he disclosed.Mathare United coach praises Gor Mahia fans for support in Tusker win, recalls 13-year-old favorHowever, his passion does not come without its challenges.“There are moments when the pressure gets overwhelming. But the passion I have for this game and the need to protect its integrity keep me going,” he continued.Now working as a police officer and CAF-certified Event Safety and Security Officer, Kiarie is not your average fan.He has managed security at some of Africa’s top football events and even consulted for FIFA during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.But his mission of exposing and eliminating match-fixing runs deeper off the pitch.##NAJAVA_MECA_8884227##In March 2025, he took a bold step. Using a hidden camera, he allegedly captured a conversation between Matasi and an unidentified individual.The footage, leaked online, quickly went viral and caught the attention of global outlets like The Sun and Mail Online.The Football Kenya Federation responded by suspending Matasi, pending investigations.Kenyan football has long grappled with this problem.Gor Mahia details 3 reasons for choosing Machakos as venue for new stadiumIn January 2023 alone, 14 players and two coaches were suspended for alleged match-fixing. In 2020, FIFA banned four players, one for life, over what it called an “international conspiracy.” Even referees have not been spared.Behind his bravery, Kiarie’s journey is also one of redemption. A recovering addict, he openly shared how overcoming substance abuse shaped his resolve to fight for young athletes and encourage positive choices.“I believe in using football to create positive change. The game teaches us a lot about teamwork, resilience, and discipline. But it also has the power to heal. We need to protect it for future generations,” he concluded.
