Last week, tragedy struck in Nairobi’s Pangani area when Eric Wafula, a former goalkeeper for New Mathare FC, was fatally attacked by a mob after allegedly attempting to steal a phone.The incident abruptly ended the promising career of the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) graduate, whose life had previously been marred by legal troubles.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsAccording to the Daily Nation, Wafula and an unidentified companion were stoned to death after reportedly snatching a phone from a pedestrian. Wafula had narrowly escaped mob justice in the past, with police noting that his status as a footballer often shielded him from such attacks.##NAJAVA_MECA_8972609##His case is just one of the many. In Kenya and beyond, crime and sports, particularly football, have long been intertwined. Many players, often from underprivileged informal settlements, turn to football as a way out of poverty. However, when the sport fails to provide sufficient income—a common challenge in local football—some resort to crime as a desperate fallback.While some players face legal consequences and serve jail time, others, like Wafula, meet tragic ends when their double lives catch up with them. These incidents may leave victims with a sense of justice but inflict lasting pain on the families of the fallen.Kenyan forward secures three-month trial with Swedish sideToday, Mozzart Sport reflects on five footballers whose lives were cut short amid suspected or confirmed involvement in criminal activities.Ken Kimani, aka ModoOn March 14, 2013, former Mathare Youth and Mathare United player Ken Kimani was gunned down in broad daylight at Githurai roundabout by former Constable Titus Ngamau, who claimed Kimani was a notorious criminal. Forensic evidence confirmed the fatal bullet came from Ngamau’s gun.Following public pressure and advocacy from civil society groups, Ngamau was charged and sentenced to 12 years in prison for misuse of a firearm. The court dismissed his claims of self-defence and that he was responding to a mobile phone theft, deeming his actions unjustified.Joshua ‘Mangulu’ Onyango explains reasons for Gor Mahia’s struggles this seasonNgamau was released in 2024 from Kamiti Maximum Prison after serving approximately six years and was handed over to a probation officer to serve the remaining three years of his sentence outside prison.Leone Shimoli JuniorBorn in 1995, Leone Shimoli was the third child of Edward Shimoli, a notorious criminal whose 99 sexual assaults and numerous robberies in Nairobi’s Eastlands during the chaotic 1990s cemented his infamy until he died in 2007.Wanyama backs Kenya to host FIFA World Cup in futureLeone, a promising footballer, inherited his father’s criminal tendencies, engaging in robberies and killings along Jogoo Road, particularly in his home area of Jericho. Despite his talent on the field, crime became his primary pursuit.After several run-ins with the police and narrowly escaping death multiple times, Leone was ambushed while snatching phones and valuables from workers in the industrial area. In an exchange with police, he was fatally shot.PLAYER RATINGS: Debutant Osoro steals the spotlight in Harambee Stars’ win over ChadFredrick Kopo, aka FrikFredrick Kopo was a promising footballer at Kakamega High School, where he played alongside Harambee Stars’ Joseph Okumu and Eric Ouma. However, after school, Kopo chose a path of crime that tragically ended his life in April 2024.He and his accomplices were caught on CCTV shooting and stealing KSh 3.9 million from 26-year-old Adan Ali Mohamed in Eastleigh. Days later, Kopo and another accomplice were fatally shot by unknown assailants, while others involved were arrested and arraigned in court.Edward ‘Ondimo’ Omondi on how FKFPL fame has changed his life in DandoraDaniel Nicodemus ArudhiBorn in 1944 as Daniel Odhiambo, Nicodemus Arudhi was the last born child of Nicodemus Owidhi. A gifted footballer, Arudhi rose to national fame as a fast, powerful, and agile forward for Luo Union and later Gor Mahia after its 1968 merger with Luo Stars.Often compared to Joe Kadenge for his flair, he represented Kenya internationally, scoring in the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations against Mali.List of complete and incomplete works at Kasarani Stadium [VIDEO]However, Arudhi led a double life as a criminal, using multiple aliases and facing arrests for robbery and murder. Despite his criminal activities, he continued playing, even being temporarily released from prison in 1965 to represent the national team under armed guard.Government reveals date when Nyayo, Kasarani Stadia will be ready for CHANOn 21st June 1981, at age 37, Arudhi was shot and killed by police officer Patrick Shaw during a weapons recovery mission. While the official report claimed he attempted to escape, many suspected it was an extrajudicial killing, especially given his long history as a wanted criminal. His mother had been warned his days were numbered. The government later compensated his family with KSh 250,000.Odemba names final Harambee Starlets squad for CECAFA ChampionshipAnwar Yogan MwokUnlike his peers, who turned to theft or robbery, Anwar Yogan Mwok, born in 1981 in Siaya County, chose a path of terrorism. Raised Christian, Mwok converted to Islam and played for the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA).In 2013, he left for Somalia to join Al-Shabaab, allegedly becoming a leader in Jaysh Ayman, a group of largely Kenyan Al-Shabaab fighters responsible for attacks against innocent Kenyans.On 27th January 2017, Mwok was killed during an Al-Shabaab attack on a Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) installation in Kulbiyow, Somalia. Official Kenyan reports estimated nine KDF casualties and over 70 Al-Shabaab deaths, though initial uncertainty surrounded the attack’s outcome.”I am not a magician,”under pressure Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy pleads for patience
