Mara Sugar FC defender Joseph Okwenda has lauded the club’s survival in the FKF Premier League as a significant achievement in what was a turbulent debut season in the Kenyan top flight.Mara Sugar, who earned promotion to the FKF-PL at the end of the 2023/24 National Super League (NSL) season, began their top-flight journey on a high, stunning Kakamega Homeboyz 3-0 in their opening match.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news The early stages of the season saw the promoted side punch above their weight, remaining in the top half of the standings for most of the first leg.However, as is often the case with debutants, consistency proved elusive.The second half of the campaign exposed the cracks in Mara’s armor, with a drop in form plunging the Kilgoris-based side into a relegation battle.The team’s struggles prompted a change in leadership, with head coach George Midenyo suspended and later relieved of his duties in early 2025. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9008139##Midenyo had overseen five wins, ten draws, and twelve defeats before his departure.The club then turned to Benedict Wanjala—who had guided Mara to NSL glory though as interim head coach.Despite his previous success, Wanjala was unable to replicate the form that had defined their promotion campaign.Under his stewardship, the team registered only two wins, six draws, and five losses in 13 matches, sinking further into the drop zone.Harambee Stars wing-back joins English League Two clubRecognizing the urgency of the situation, Mara Sugar’s management acted decisively.In May, they appointed veteran tactician Edward Manoah to steer the club away from relegation, with Wanjala reverting to his former assistant role. He was joined by returning coach Francis Xavier and Charles Omondi in a reinforced technical bench.Even with the wealth of experience on the sidelines, results remained hard to come by.Manoah managed just one win—a narrow 1-0 triumph over Shabana FC—alongside three draws and two losses. Mara’s fate hung in the balance heading into the final day of the season.Despite suffering their heaviest defeat of the campaign in a 4-1 loss to Kariobangi Sharks on the last day, Mara Sugar survived by the skin of their teeth.They finished on 36 points, narrowly avoiding relegation by a single point. How Harambee Stars assistant captain’s pep talk inspired Butere Boys to break Regional Games jinxFC Talanta and Nairobi City Stars were relegated with 35 points, while Posta Rangers secured a play-off spot courtesy of superior goal difference.Speaking after the season concluded, Okwenda—who was named both Mara’s Most Valuable Player and best defender—praised the team’s resilience amid adversity.”As a team, the most important thing—and something we truly prioritised—was maintaining our place in the Premier League. Despite the struggles and challenges, we are proud to have achieved our primary objective,” he said. The defender credited mid-season signings for playing a crucial role in the club’s survival bid.Posta defender’s plea to management after going months without salariesMara Sugar bolstered their ranks with seasoned campaigners including; midfielder Harun Thomas (formerly of Sony Sugar, KCB, and Nzoia Sugar), attacker Steve Otieno (ex-Sony Sugar, Kisumu All Stars, Kariobangi Sharks), and striker Collins Neto (formerly with KCB, Bidco United, and Western Stima).”The experienced players brought in during the mid-season added much-needed leadership to our youthful squad,” Okwenda noted. “Their presence made a difference in some of those must-win matches. They helped us secure crucial points that kept us afloat, ” he added.
