An apologetic Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has slammed KBC for giving Kenyans a false promise after failing to air Harambee Stars’ World Cup qualifier against Gabon
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has apologised to Kenyans after the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) failed to air Harambee Stars’ 2026 World Cup qualifier against Gabon after promising to do so on Thursday.
Kenyans had been apprehensive on how and where they would watch the crunch match as Harambee Stars returned to competitive action for the first time in two years but KBC came with good news in the evening, promising to air the game.
However, as fans tuned into the national broadcaster, they were met by other programmes instead with word going round that they were experiencing technical difficulties and the problem would be solved shortly.
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Nothing happened though with disappointed fans having to stream the match on other platforms.
“Last night KBC let down Kenyan fans with satellite difficulties that occasioned failure to screen the Harambee Stars game vs Gabon in Franceville,” Namwamba posted on social media on Friday.
“We owe Kenyans a sincere, unequivocal and unambiguous apology for this disappointment. You sure deserve better. POLENI SANA.”
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Namwamba had been among those who had promised Kenyans that the game would be live on KBC, giving confidence to skeptical fans but he was left with egg on his face in the wake of the unfortunate event.
“Delighted to announce that the Harambee Stars vs Gabon 2026 World Cup qualifier game tonight will be broadcast live by KBC,” the CS posted on X on Thursday.
“I consider this to be a special occasion as Kenya returns to international football after a long two-year absence occasioned by the FIFA suspension. Kenyans deserve to witness this historic moment live. Tune in from 7.00 pm EAT and cheer on our boys. C'mon #HarambeeStars.”
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Following Namwamba’s sentiments, KBC also came out with an apology of their own.
“We sincerely apologise to Kenyans for failing to transmit the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Gabon and Kenya on 16th November, 2023 at 7PM due to a technical satellite challenge. Kindly note that this has been rectified and we look forward to uninterrupted broadcast in the future,” the broadcaster said.
Kenyan fans suffered double disappointment as Harambee Stars lost the match 2-1 when a second half collapse allowed the hosts to cancel out Masoud Juma’s 40th minute goal before scoring late to walk away with all points in Franceville.
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