Former Harambee Stars midfielder MacDonald Mariga believes Kenyans should stop blaming national team players for the poor results they are posting because the current regime under Nick Mwendwa has neglected them.
Mariga, the first player from East African region to win the UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan under Jose Mourinho in 2010, insists the previous Football Kenya Federation (FKF) regime under Sam Nyamweya did a great job in taking care of the welfare of national team players than the current regime under Nick Mwendwa.
“I have been with previous Presidents and was with Mwendwa, but if you look at his leadership management, it is zero, in terms of everything, especially on players management, including finances, everything is wrong, his term has not been good because they are doing everything wrong,” said Mariga.
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“For example, when I used to play for the national team we used to be paid allowances of Ksh5, 000 per day (while in camp) at home and it was doubled when we travelled for away matches, while locals were also receiving Ksh5, 000 a day, and I am now reliably told they are being paid Ksh700 to Ksh750 per day, even Michael (Olunga) received that amount, even my brother Victor (Wanyama) was used to receive Ksh750.
“If you go for away matches during the last regime under Sam (Nyamweya), locals could pocket up to Ksh10,000 per day (while in camp), it is the reason why I say we don’t need to blame current players (for the poor results), it is all about poor leadership that we are seeing all this happening.”
Mariga added: “Don’t forget that during Nyamweya’s regime there were also bonuses being paid to the players, let us not forget that, you draw you get bonuses, you win you get bonuses, and we don’t see that happening nowadays under the leadership of Mwendwa.”
Kenya kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Gabon before recovering to hammer Seychelles in their second Group F fixture.