2021 was a busy year for Kenyan players in terms of transfers as they switched clubs in search of the proverbial greener pastures.There were movements right from January till the end of the year. Some players settled in quickly and hit the ground running immediately, others took some time, others are yet to find a footing but are still pushing while some opted out and moved on.The three major destinations for Kenyan footballers were Africa, Europe, and Asia. Of the three continents, movements to/within Asia were few, in fact, only three players were involved in moves in the Asian continent. Africa and Europe received a good number of Kenyan footballers who are trying to eke a living and also fly the Kenyan flag high outside the borders.As the year comes to a close, Mozzart Sport takes a look at transfers made by Kenyan players in the last 12 months. We have categorized them by the continents in which they play their football. Have a read.EuropeEurope is the dream destination for most Kenyan players. Any growing footballer dreams of playing in the English Premier League, Laliga, Bundesliga, and even Serie A. Unfortunately, we do not hack the big moves easily, to date, only Victor Wanyama and Harambee Stars prospect Tyler Onyango have played in the PL. Laliga has been graced by McDonald Mariga and Michael Olunga alone. Despite not hacking it to the big leagues, Kenyan players have still managed to play in Europe with Scandinavia our easy destination.Henry MejaThe biggest transfer from the Kenyan league was that of Henry Meja who ended his ties with Tusker FC for a move to the Swedish top tier side, AIK which is also home to Kenyan International, Eric Ouma. Meja’s transfer was announced in September and he is expected to link up with his new club in January.His move was a culmination of the hard work he had put in at Tusker during the 2020/21 season where he was the club top scorer with ten goals and eight assists. He was also named the league’s young player of the season.🚨JUST IN🚨@tusker_fc’s Henry Meja has secured a 5-year deal with Sweden’s @aikfotboll which is also Eric Ouma’s club. Meja only played one season in the top tier and won the title. No more missing AIK’s matches for sure💯Congratulations Meja, all the best.#FFP pic.twitter.com/euIqAaSh7o— Friends of Football (@friendsofutball) September 3, 2021 Alwyn TeraAfter six years in Georgia with FC Saburtalo Tbilisi, Tera decided to cut ties with the club and moved to Armenia, joining Ararat-Armenia in July. He has since established himself as a key player at the club.Benson Omala The Kenya U23 forward to Sweden in May joining, FC Linkoping City on loan from Gor Mahia. However, on and off-field issues saw him leave the club a month later and returned to his parent club.Joseph Okumu After months of speculation, the Harambee Stars defender finally left IF Elfsborg of Sweden in June and joined Gent in Belgium. He has since settled, is a regular at the club, and has scored a couple of goals already.Arnold Origi They say shot-stoppers age like fine wine and that can be the befitting description for Origi who at 38 continues to make moves. This year he joined IL Hødd in the Norwegian second tier from HIFK Fotboll if Finland. He continues to compete between the posts.Collins ShichenjeThe AFC Leopards youngster moved to Greece in July joining PAOK Thessaloniki. He is however part of the youth team set up and keeps knocking at first-team doors.Abud Omar- Omar was once again on the move in August as he switched clubs in Greece. He left Ionikos for AEL. He appears to have settled well at the club and was even recalled to the national team, Harambee Stars.Henry Ochieng- The Kenya U23 midfielder joined the Watford U23 team in January from Irish club, Cork City FC. He however lasted for just six months at the club before he got released. Earlier this month he joined National League side Billericay Town.AfricaThere were a number of movements from Kenya to other clubs within the continent. Kenyan players gracing other African leagues is now more of a norm and in 2021 players from KPL and other leagues within the region switched clubs within the continent.Kenneth MugunaThe biggest of them all was Kenneth Muguna’s switch to Tanzanian giants Azam. After months of speculation about his future, the midfielder finally ended his second stint with Gor by moving to the ice-cream makers in July.His start to life in Tanzania hasn’t been too however as his team is currently struggling in the league and were forced to fire head coach George Lwandamina two weeks ago.Others who moved to Tanzania include Baron Oketch and Saphan Oyugi who joined Biashara United from Western Stima and Kariobangi Sharks respectively. They are both key players for coach Patrick Odhiambo at the moment.Others include Bolton Omwenga who moved to Kagera Sugar from Nairobi City Stars, he has since racked in a couple of assists for the Millers. Sosthenes Yidah joined Coastal Union from Bandari and is a frequent figure in their starting XI.Kenneth Muguna officially joins Azam from Gor Mahia👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/KDrd7kwE3t— KOT OCS👮👮 (@WaruiJohn2) July 21, 2021 Bernard Ochieng and Erick KapaitoThe Harambee Stars duo left the Kenyan league for the Ethiopian side, Abra Minch. Ochieng was a free agent after his contract with Wazito FC elapsed while Kapaito, who was the league’s top scorer and MVP in 2021, ended his four-year association with Kariobangi Sharks for Ethiopian adventure.Both players have established themselves as key players for Abra Minch. Ochieng is a cog at the back and has featured in all the games since he made his debut. Kapaito too is key upfront although the goals are not coming as frequently as he would have wished. He has found the back of the net twice.Francis Kahata Just like Ochieng and Kapaito, Kahata, who was club-less after leaving Simba in June, Kahata moved to Ethiopia, signing for Sidama Coffee. He scored two minutes into his debut against Sebeta Kenema and has since settled well.Masud Juma Expectedly, the Harambee Stars forward was once again on the move and in February he landed in Morocco, joining Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi.He has been on the score sheet more often in Morocco although injuries have derailed him on several occasions.AsiaMichael OlungaMichael Olunga ditched the Japanese side, Kashiwa Reysol for Al-Duhail SC of Qatar in January and hit the ground running immediately. He finished as top-scorer in the AFC Champions League as top scorer after finding the back of the net 9 times. He has equally been on fire both in the league and Cup games.Meanwhile in Qatar, Michael Olunga came on in the 46th minute as a substitute and scored 5 goals. pic.twitter.com/l9x6dw3NgV— 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐉𝐀 (@iamjoseh_) September 26, 2021 Ayub TimbeTimbe moved to Japan, joining Vissel Kobe. He started out well and was even nominated for the league’s player of the month award in his first month with the club.Things however didn’t go as he had envisioned and after troubled six months, he terminated his contract with Kobe. In November he completed a move to Thailand, joining Buriram UnitedIsmail DungaThe former Mathare United and Tusker FC forward left Albanian side FK Vllaznia Shkoder for Sagan Tosu in February. But like in Albania where he enjoyed a rich vein of form, he has found the going tough in Japan where he has featured in a handful of games mainly as a sub but is yet to find the back of the net.
