Is KCC finally getting serious?

By James BakamaONE of the best local soccer quotes is no doubt that from striker Ayew Mbo while transferring from Express to KCC in 1996.The Congolese striker tired of what he termed as a skinflint Express told journalists: “Hawa Kelele tu. Hawa lipi (They only make noise, but they don’t pay)”Life can however take interesting twists. If Mbo was to make a similar statement today, it would probably be targeted at KCC.The yellows have lately had serious financial problems that have had them failing to punctually pay players besides resorting to what Mbo would describe as kelele (noise) as far as protection of the team’s players are concerned.KCC’s management at the close of the past season strongly stated that it would not let go of any of its players because of what it termed as a serious campaign to consolidate its team .But, barely had the club launched its plan than one of it’s kingpins Richard Malinga was picking transfer forms to shift to Express. Malinga however hastily backslid claiming that he had been “coerced”.Malinga returned to Lugogo amid bitter cries from Express, which threatened to take the matter to police if the player did not refund the sh3m signing fee. But trust KCC when it comes to talking tough. Club secretary Fred Ogene scoffed at Express saying KCC was under no obligation to refund the money, which he described as either a “bribe or gift.”But, while these exchanges were going on, KCC was losing defender Tom Muwonge to SC Villa. Striker Said Abed also dashed to Villa Park, a move that KCC secretary Fred Ogene swore to stretch to levels of declaring Abed a deserter.We all anxiously waited for Ogene’s hammer to strike. But, what we instead got was a sh6.5m Abed transfer to the Joogos.The drama took yet another twist last week with Malinga not only sneaking to Wankulukuku, but also training with Express amidst chest thumping by the redsBut trust KCC’s fighting spirit. They have strongly re-emerged with a five-month suspension plus half pay for Malinga.But what reason do we have to believe that this is also not kelele.