Football. A beautiful sport with billions of fans worldwide glued to their screens, anxious for the highs and lows. Wherever you watch it from, there’s always a mix of emotions.
Tracing its roots in Ancient Greece, Mesoamerica and old China, the sport evolved with the first revolution in England in the early 1900s.
Now, football is regarded as one of Kenya’s most popular sports. Kenya has had so many great football talents it has developed. The likes of McDonald Mariga (ex-Inter Milan), Victor Wanyama (ex-Tottenham) and Micheal Olunga (Al Duhail)
Without a doubt, the scene is set for greater heights. Both the young, middle-aged and the old in Kenya are in love with the sport. This is also true for Kenyan football.
Despite being marred with several management problems in the last half-decade, Kenyan football managing body FKF under the leadership of Nick Mwendwa, has seen a slow but steady recovery from the ban imposed by FIFA last year.
Many have always wondered who the men behind these top football clubs. In this article, we shall look at the owners of top Kenyan teams.
1. Nick Mwendwa – Kariobangi Sharks
Nick Mwendwa is the founder of Kariobangi Sharks, one of Kenya’s most popular teams. Popularly known as K. Sharks, the club was established in the year 2000, with most players from the slums of Kariobangi.
In the early 2000s, Nick Mwendwa would see boys playing at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church basketball court after school hours. The boys didn’t have a leader and would play bare feet with old soccer balls mended by cobblers.
Mwendwa, who lived across the church, would see the talent displayed via his house window. Disturbed by how disorganized the boys were, he joined them and offered mentorship and assistance regarding balls and jerseys.
The former chairman of the Kenya Football Referees Association would train his young men on weekends when he wasn’t going to work. With consistency, the team became well-oiled and structured.
Mwendwa sought to register the team to compete in Kenyan football leagues in February 2001. He doubled up as manager and team coach.
Starting in the lower leagues with Mwendwa’s modest savings, the team rose and was promoted to the KPL in the 15/16 season. In the 17/18 season, Sharks won the first top-flight trophy.
In July 2019, Sharks played a pre-season friendly against EPL club Everton in a 1-1 draw at Kasarani Stadium. Kariobangi Sharks won the game in penalties (4-3). The team trains at Utalii College.
2. Elly Kalekwa – Sofapaka
Congolese international businessman Elly Kalekwa, known as ‘prezda’, owns Sofapaka FC. The name SOFAPAKA is an acronym that stands for ‘Sote Kama Familia Kwa Pamoja Kuafikia Azimio’.
Sofapaka was originally formed by a group of men from the MAOS Ministries in 2002. The club initially took part in Inter-Church competitions.
In 2004, Kalekwa took over and renamed it Sofapaka. Additionally, he registered it in the Nationwide League. Today, Sofapaka is one of the most successful clubs having won the KPL in 2009 and 2014.
Kalekwa, a passionate football fan, is committed to developing the game in Kenya.
He is credited as among the first to bring changes in football by introducing professional contracts, selling players, building a club office and buying a club bus.
He is also a key stakeholder in Kenya and Cyprus’s hotel, real estate and transport industries.
3. Cleopas Shimanyula – Kakamega Homeboyz
Cleopas Shimayula, popularly known as Toto, is arguably one of the richest men from Kakamega.
He is the founder and chairman of Kakamega Homeboyz Football Club, which plays in the Kenyan Premier League. The club was established in 2010, winning the KPL in 2019 and the FKF Cup in 2017 & 2019.
With his interests spanning various sectors, such as transport and real estate, Shimanyula has been the sole financier of the club for a long time.
The name Homeboyz originates from Shimanyula’s first matatu that he bought on loan from a bank, ‘Homeboyz’
Recently, the football club inked a deal with the Kakamega government and betting firms to aid with financial assistance.
Cleophas Shimanyula Toto: Billionaire Who Owns Homeboyz Buses, Kakamega Homeboys Fc
4. Jonathan Jackson – Nairobi City Stars
Jonathan Jackson, who holds Kenyan and British citizenship, owns Nairobi City Stars. He bought the club in March 2019 for an undisclosed fee.
Born and raised in Eldoret, the billionaire businessman prefers to go by his Kalenjin nickname Kiplimo. He bought the club through his foundation; ‘Jonathan Jackson Foundation.’
His goal in entering the football industry is to keep the youth busy and transform their lives with sports and art activities. The club was formed to allow young people to showcase their talents on the pitch.
5. Bhimji Depar Shah – Bidco United FC
Bhimji Depar is one of Kenya’s High Net Worth Individuals, serving as the founder and CEO of the BIDCO Group of Companies.
In addition to this, he is also the founder of Thika Based club Bidco United FC. Established in 2012, the club aimed to promote football in Kenya and provide opportunities for young players to develop their skills.
