Oliech Praises Mwendwa, Mohammed for Kenyan Football Progress, Urges More

Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech has acknowledged significant strides in Kenyan football, attributing recent progress to the tenures of both former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa and the current administration led by Hussein Mohammed. While recognizing improvements, Oliech emphasized the ongoing need for enhanced player welfare and robust grassroots development.

Oliech, a prominent figure in Kenyan football history, noted a marked difference in the support structure for contemporary players compared to his playing days. "When I look at the support and resources the current generation receives, they are much luckier than we were," Dennis Oliech stated. He further elaborated on the positive impact of leadership, adding, "I think both Nick Mwendwa during his tenure and the current administration under Hussein Mohammed have made significant improvements in how the national team is managed."

Despite the advancements, Oliech urged stakeholders to prioritize player welfare, advocating for improved salaries and increased corporate sponsorship as essential catalysts for unlocking the nation's full football potential. This call aligns with broader efforts to professionalize the sport in Kenya.

Nick Mwendwa's nine-year presidency at the FKF saw notable achievements, including the Kenya U17 Girls football team, the Junior StarletsTeam·Junior Starlets, qualifying for a FIFA World CupCompetition·FIFA World Cup. His administration also played a pivotal role in securing Kenya's co-hosting bid for the 2027 Africa Cup of NationsCompetition·Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania. Under his leadership, both the Harambee Stars and the Harambee StarletsTeam·Harambee Starlets qualified for their respective AFCON tournaments in 2019 and 2016.

Succeeding Mwendwa, Hussein Mohammed assumed the FKF presidency on December 7, 2024, ushering in a new era focused on credibility, responsible resource allocation, and inclusive development. Mohammed's administration has outlined key priorities, including the elimination of hooliganism, improvement of officiating standards, and tackling match-fixing. He has also committed to strengthening capacity building for coaches and referees, and increasing the visibility of domestic competitions, with an ambition to elevate the Kenyan Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League (KPL) to Africa's top domestic competition.

The FKF, under Mohammed, initiated a restructuring of the Kenyan football league system for the 2025/26 season. The Kenyan Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League featured 18 teams, with a planned reduction to 16 teams from the 2026/27 season, necessitating the relegation of four teams at the close of the 2025/26 campaign. The Kenyan Super League, the second tier, was expanded to 24 teams across two zones, with zonal champions earning automatic promotion. The 2025/26 KPL season concluded on May 30, 2026, with Gor Mahia FC crowned champions, securing 69 points, followed by AFC Leopards with 64 points. The FKF also secured a partnership with a local gaming firm, increasing the KPL's prize money pool to Ksh20 million, with the champions receiving Ksh15 million.

The Harambee Stars have also shown recent signs of progress. Participating in the FIFA SeriesCompetition·FIFA Series 2026 tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, in March 2026, they secured a 3-0 victory over Grenada, ending a four-match winless streak. This performance contributed to a rise of two places in the FIFA rankings, moving them to 111th globally by April 1, 2026, and further to 109th as of July 20, 2026, as the team continues its preparations for the 2027 AFCON tournament.