Former Leopards Coach Juma Demands Ksh.9 Million in Compensation

AFC Leopards Secretary General, Gilbert Andugu, has confirmed the reception of a demand letter from former head coach Tom Juma, who is seeking settlement for arrears resulting from the termination of his contract with the FKF Premier League side.

Juma, appointed by Leopards on July 25th this year, is urging his boyhood club to clear his salary arrears totalling KSh.9 million, citing the allegedly unlawful termination of his contract.

Andugu acknowledged the receipt of the letter but refrained from detailed discussion, stating, “Yes, we have received the letter, but we can’t discuss it now. We are working on it because he had a contract, and every contract has an exit clause.” According to Andugu, AFC Leopards, a 12-time league champion, has notified their lawyers, who are currently reviewing the situation.

Juma’s coaching stint with Ingwe lasted less than three months, marked by a challenging start to the 2023–24 FKF-PL, during which the team experienced a six-match winless run. Andugu emphasized the presence of exit clauses in every appointment letter, and the legal team scrutinised the details to determine the validity of Juma’s claims.

“Andugu, who was not willing to disclose much, stated, “Yes, we (AFC Leopards) are working on it. Our legal team is working on it.”

Juma’s demand letter follows similar threats from other players, including Collins Shivachi and Robert Mundenyu, who have expressed intentions to sue the club for salary arrears. These two defenders were among those whose contracts expired, and Leopards failed to extend their tenures.

Additional players who left the club due to contract expiry include former captain and assistant Eugine Mukangula and Peter Thiong’o. Thiong’o has since joined other clubs in the top-tier league, with notable success at log leaders Posta Rangers.