Revealed: Why many Kenyan athletes, football stars die poor

Torn shoes [Photo: Shuttertsock]

In the 1960s and 70s, it was common knowledge that most sportsmen and women had a day job to supplement the little money if any, they made from sports. So, who used to take all the money in sports? Team owners were rich and powerful. A player could only leave a club with the express permission of the owner because sports labour laws were pro owners.

In Kenya, most sports teams were either controlled by parastatals or government ministries. Therefore, meeting your gold medal winner at the local Post Office selling stamps or as a cashier at your local bank was a common sight. Unknown to many at that time, there were many grumbles and bargaining going on in Labour courts and boardrooms on the need to improve players’ welfare.