Kenyan Footballers Stranded in Indonesia After Scam

Two Kenyan footballers are back home after months of being homeless and broke in Indonesia. They fell for a suspected scam that promised them professional contracts.

Brian Andaje and Sunday Majimbo thought they were going to Indonesia for real football opportunities. But when they arrived, they found no clubs waiting for them and had to survive on the streets.

Their return home happened thanks to help from the Indonesian Professional Footballers Association, the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association, and the Kenyan Embassy in Jakarta. This information came from a report by the International Federation of Professional Footballers on Tuesday.

This situation has raised alarms about fake football agents and unverified job offers that target African players looking for opportunities abroad.

Andaje and Majimbo traveled to Indonesia in December 2025. A man pretending to be a football agent told them he would get them professional contracts. According to FIFPRO, they were promised that clubs would be ready to sign them upon arrival.

“Despite being told they would have contracts on arrival, the players were never introduced to any clubs. Over time, communication with the agent dwindled before stopping completely,” the organization stated.

“The players were left stranded with no income. At one point, they even had to sleep on the streets before asking for help,” it added.

FIFPRO said the two relied on support from friends, family, and community members while moving from one temporary shelter to another. They ended up sleeping on the streets for a while.

Eventually, they traveled from Bali to Jakarta after getting advice from acquaintances. They hoped to find organizations that could help them get back home.

Reflecting on their ordeal, Andaje thanked those who helped them. “During one of the most difficult times of our lives, APPI stood by us with genuine care and compassion. They didn’t just help us solve our problems, they gave us hope when we had almost lost it. We will always be grateful for everything they did for us.”

Majimbo also spoke about the help they received, calling it unforgettable. “This experience reminded us that there are still people and organizations that truly care about the wellbeing of footballers. We will never forget the support we received from APPI, KEFWA, and the Kenyan Embassy.”

After learning about Andaje and Majimbo's situation, FIFPRO said KEFWA reached out to APPI in Indonesia for urgent help. APPI made contact with the players within days and provided them with daily living expenses and temporary accommodation.

The Kenyan Embassy later housed the players for the last three weeks before they returned to Kenya, while KEFWA worked with their families and relevant authorities back home.

APPI Secretary General Gotcha Michael said no footballer should be left stranded in a foreign country. “No player should ever find themselves abandoned in a foreign country without support. As player unions, we have a duty to protect footballers in situations like this.”

He added, “We were pleased to work alongside KEFWA and the Kenyan Embassy to ensure Brian and Sunday received the help they needed and could return home safely.”

KEFWA President James Situma also praised the teamwork among the organizations. “This case shows why strong cooperation between player unions is so important. We are grateful to APPI for responding quickly and to the Kenyan Embassy for their commitment during the process. Together, we were able to make sure that Brian and Sunday returned home safely.”

FIFPRO said this case highlights the danger of people pretending to be licensed football agents. They pointed out that in 2023, FIFPRO Africa started a campaign with the Didier Drogba Foundation and the International Labour Organization to raise awareness about football-related scams.

A survey of 263 male and female footballers from seven African countries found that over 70 percent had been approached by someone claiming to offer overseas football chances. The survey also revealed that 56 percent never got the promised trials, while 44 percent did not secure the contracts they were promised.

FIFPRO advised players to check that agents are licensed by FIFA, avoid paying agents before signing contracts, and seek legal advice from their national players’ unions before traveling abroad.

Situma encouraged footballers to verify opportunities before moving overseas. “Every year, players are approached with attractive offers that have not been properly checked. We urge footballers to contact their player union before making any decisions about going abroad.”

“Getting advice early can make a big difference and help stop situations like this from happening again.”

FIFPRO added that this case also shows how important it is for players’ unions worldwide to work together to protect footballers and defend their rights wherever they play.