Top 5 Kenyan Football Dynasties

Piece by: Caren Nyota
Exclusives

Finally! the weekend is here! It's been an exciting week but the weekend is going to be a long and boring one especially to the Kenyan Premier League football fans including me. The season ended some few weeks ago with two bottom teams; City Stars and Nakuru All Stars relegated for poor performance. Though some teams have started early preparations for next season, we still have two full months to go.

In the Kenyan football history, we have had several combinations of brothers who have played for Kenya and made us proud and left a legacy. Here is the list:

The Mwololo's

Made up of four brothers; Peter, Gideon, Andrew and the famous Radio Jambo mid morning straight talk presenter Bramwell, the Mwololo's kept their father's spirit alive. Playing for both national team and club level they made Kenya proud. Bramwell was a speedy striker unlike our current strikers who "cannot run and think at the same time". Peter was a creative midfielder while Gideon played as a centre forward. Back in the 90's Kenya was invited to Iraq for a football tournament and Gideon emerged one of the best players and was rewarded with a wrist-watch by the late Saddam Hussein. The Mwololo dynasty is still making waves as one of their nephew's Jake Mulinge is currently playing in the USA league; the MLS as a midfielder.

The Wanyama's

AFC Leopard's legendary Noah Wanyama dynasty is still on as one of his son's Victor "Mugabe" Wanyama is said to be one of the best midfielders Kenya has ever had. Victor who is currently playing for Southampton seems to be enjoying his stay at the club and has scored more than 10 goals this season. Other sons include Serie A and Champions League winner McDonald Mariga who now plays for Parma FC in Italy, Thomas Wanyama aka Heskey who plays for Sofapaka and Sylvester Wanyama the current Sony Sugar FC captain.

The Origi's

It comprises of 6 members: Austin Oduor was a Gor Mahia Captain and legend and is the father of the current Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi. Origi, famously known as Kenya 1 plies his trade in Norway. Oduor's brother Mike Okoth also played for Harambee Stars and several top Kenyan teams before plying his trade in Belgium. He is the father of Divock Origi, the first player of Kenyan origin to sign for a top English Premier League side, Liverpool FC; although he was loaned back to his previous side in the French Ligue One, Lille. Origi has played for the Belgian U17 and U19 national teams; this past summer he became the first player of Kenyan origin to play at a World Cup. (In Brazil)

The Kadenge's

Who doesn't know the famous Harambee Stars legend Joe Kadenge? Well, he was one of the best stars Kenya ever had and he was a speedy player and classy dribbler. His sons never let him down and all of them picked up from where he left. The late Francis Kadenge gave many defenders nightmares with his sprinter speed. Both Rodgers and Evans played for Nzoia Sugar Company and later on Evans was appointed as a head coach in the same team. Oscar the last born, was a free scoring striker. He was once a top scorer in the Ugandan League before returning to Kenya to play for Tusker and later AFC Leopards where he was dropped a week ago due to poor performance.

The Oliech's

Just like the other dynasties, The Oliech's are not different. Comprising of five sportsmen, they have kept the fire burning in the Kenyan football history despite the challenges that come along with football as a career. Dennis Oliech is one of the best strikers Kenya has playing for Ajaccio FC in France and has been a major boost for the team. Andrew Oyombe the second of the Oliech brothers plays in the Swedish League. The 3rd, Ken who played for Gor Mahia for close to two years retired from football duties and now runs a football academy; the Ken Oliech Football Academy. The late Steve Okumu was a superb striker playing for Kenyan premier league side Gor Mahia in the late 1990s and the last born in the family, Kevin, plays for the recently relegated City Stars.