Owalo Donates Tracksuits to Kakamega Homeboys, Advocates for Grassroots Football

Former Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, has donated 30 sets of tracksuits to Kakamega Homeboys, at Kakamega High School in Kakamega County.

Speaking during the event, Owalo emphasized the importance of grassroots football development, noting that the donation is part of an ongoing initiative aimed at restoring football standards in the country by motivating and equipping players. 

“This initiative is intended to raise football standards to where they were before by motivating players. We need to support community clubs like Kakamega Homeboys, AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia, and Shabana. These clubs were the foundations of our national team's success in the 1980s and 1990s. When our national team was performing well, it was largely due to the strength of these community clubs,” said Owalo.

“As an enthusiast of football, I am passionate about supporting clubs like Kakamega Homeboys to identify and nurture the potential of young talent in Western Kenya. Today, football is big business.”

Owalo also stressed the importance of national stakeholders providing financial support to community teams to improve the quality of football at the grassroots level across the country.

Photo session with the Kakamega Homeboyz players.

The former Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by a host of former international football stars, including Austin Oduor "Makamu," Aggrey Lukoye, Peter Dawo, Dan Musuku, George Onyango "Fundi," Washington Muhanji, David Ochieng "Kamoga," James Goro Oronge, Dennis Munyendo, Isaiah "Janabi" Omondi, Bernard Musuku, Mike Otieno, and Gerald Omollo "Chonjo." These former players also motivated and encouraged the current players during the event.

Cleophas Shimanyula, the chairman of Kakamega Homeboys, expressed his gratitude to Owalo for his continued support of the team.

“We appreciate your efforts in helping fund the team, and we urge you to continue with the same spirit to uplift football standards in the country,” said Shimanyula.

However, Shimanyula voiced his concerns over the recent nomination of Kipchumba Murkomen as Cabinet Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs by President William Ruto. He argued that the position requires someone well-versed in sports matters and urged the President to reconsider the nomination.

“Mr. President, we urge you to consider appointing someone who is well-informed on sports issues as the Cabinet Secretary for Sports. We believe Kipchumba Murkomen would be better suited for an ambassadorial position,” added Shimanyula.

Shimanyula also expressed optimism about Kakamega Homeboys' performance in the current football season, expressing confidence that the team could finish ahead of Gor Mahia, the defending champions.

The event was also attended by the team’s technical bench, led by team manager Boniface Imbenzi, and the playing unit, led by captain Moses Mudavadi. Kakamega High School principal Dr. Julius Mambili also graced the occasion.

The donation is part of the Owalo Foundation's broader efforts to address challenges related to economic mobility through initiatives focused on sports, health, education, shelter, youth and women empowerment, and environmental conservation.