NAIROBI, Kenya, February 24 – Kenya will pay the salary of the newly appointed Harambee Stars coach, Antoine Hey.
The German government was on Monday said that Football Kenya Limited would have to find a way of paying for the services of the German tactician who is due in the country next week.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga had requested the German government to facilitate the pay of Hey during his unveiling last week.
But in an exclusive interview with Capital Sport, Ambassador Walter Lindner said the issue of the pay solely lies with Kenya, of whom the tactician services will be provided to.
“We can’t promise the pay for the coach, especially so in times of recession like this, what we do promise is a continued support to Kenyan sport, but we have made it clear that there should be other means to fund his pay,” Lindner explained
It has also emerged that FKL officials had held a meeting with the German Ambassador on a follow up to the premier’s request to urge the German government to facilitate Mr. Hey’s salary.
Lindner said the request has since been sent to Berlin but was quick to point out that FKL must have a plan to pay the tactician and should not depend on Germany financial assistance.
Mr. Hey is due to start work next month and an uphill task of preparing Harambee Stars for the first last round world cup/African Cup Qualifiers awaits his arrival. The pay for the expert though might be the un-making of the Kenyan- football foreign coach story that ends unceremoniously over remuneration issues.
It has also emerged that Mr. Hey himself would prefer Kenya to take on the responsibility of an employer and fund for his pay fully without awaiting financial assistance from the Berlin. The newly appointed coach believes the countries determination to fund him will give him the perceived support of the country.
“Even for him (Hey) its better if he is not financed through the German government, the coach has to be backed by Kenyan’s that’s important when thinking about financial support” Linder said.
