Soy United Team Leader Ayiro Edwin Chahilu in an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport opened up on the challenges of forfeiting a season, the club’s strategic plans and rumours of him being in contention for the coming FKF elections.When Soy United FC withdrew from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Division One league during the Caretaker Committee’s chaotic season, many criticized the management for not having the courage to compete in the third tier, opting instead to sit out for a season.Some criticisms were personal, directed at the club’s founding patron, accusing him of financial constraints and hinting at the demise of the team’s blue and white colours from Likuyani.##NAJAVA_MECA_8325934##Fast forward to today, the narrative has changed and as a sports journalist who is passionate about grassroots football development, I decided to interview Ayiro on the huge strides he is making with his community club.Q: How was it like not playing the whole of the 2022/2023 season?A: Soy United not playing for a season was the lowest point in my life, second only to losing my sister years ago. It felt like telling my sons they could not attend school for a year because I could not afford it. It was that personal. I avoided home and lived in isolation, bombarded with unwarranted criticism. This team is in my blood, day and night, through rain and shine.Q: For a man who values hard work and sacrifice, it must have been a tough decision to stay away from the game. Why did you choose to take a break?A: I had run the club for seven years and understood the game’s rules. We could have played in Division One and avoided relegation, but deep inside, I knew it was time to pause and reflect. We needed a plan. Having experienced promotion to the NSL, I realized we couldn’t afford to repeat our past mistakes.EXCLUSIVE: Serbia becomes Collins Sichenje’s permanent home after Vojvodina pays AIK Ksh57.2 millionIt was a tough choice, but it came from wisdom and love for Soy United. Every complex problem doesn’t have a simple solution, and I sought a more thoughtful approach. Those six months of reflection are now a significant part of our history.Q: Was this the moment when all these strategies, which are now being implemented, developed?A: Yes, that was when we decided the club would never be the same again. We focused on structured self-sustainability, working on our image and brand, and moving away from dependency. We started adding value to the club.This period saw significant developments: the construction of a perimeter wall at Ivugwi Primary School Grounds, new hostel leases, two transport vans, a sports and branding hub, a revamped media unit, and unwavering fan support.Q&A: Soy United’s patron gets candid on club’s success and plans after achieving promotionQ: How did you manage such a remarkable transformation?A: The difference between success and failure is time. That silent season allowed us to create a result-based strategic plan with short-term and long-term goals, backed by a compliance framework. We agreed that what gets measured gets done, and we immediately formed a dedicated team. Looking back, I can confidently say we’re on the right track, and we’re committed to maintaining the plan.Q: It’s impressive how you’ve embraced change and holistic growth. Wakili, as the team leader, how have you managed to achieve this and set such high standards, especially with your strong social media presence, which ranks among the top five in Kenyan football?A: Any chance to improve requires preparation and initiative from everyone on the team. As a leader, I emphasize belief and purpose. When I challenged our media head to join us in creating something new, he embraced the belief that transformation was near, and with the team’s support, it became a reality. At Soy United, we value humility and sacrifice, and that starts with me. We live by our motto: ‘Words are Life.’##NAJAVA_MECA_8325995##Q: Has there ever been a season when Soy United did not have a player move to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL)? What’s the secret behind your success in developing talent?A: The secret lies in scouting and developing young players through strong grassroots networks and quality training, similar to what KPL clubs offer. We’ve recently changed our transfer policy, in line with our strategic plan. Top clubs can no longer rely on their platform alone to sign our players—they must meet the contractual value. We invest in our players, and moving forward, we expect fair transfer fees.Q: What are your sponsorship plans?A: A strong brand is more likely to attract sponsorships. Many corporations today are looking for valuable partnerships. At Soy United, we’re working to increase our brand’s value, and we’re optimistic that we’ll secure corporate partners as the brand grows.Returnees Soy United’s plan for success in FKF Division OneQ: There have been rumours about your interest in the NEC Western Zone representative seat for the upcoming FKF elections. Any comment on that?A: Soy United is in preseason, and everything is going according to plan. As for elections, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Elections come and go, but Soy United Football Club will remain part of historyThat is indeed a lawyer’s way of saying yes and no simultaneously. We at Mozzart Sport salute the entire Soy United Football Club fraternity, wish them well in the coming season, and hope to do many success stories from Likuyani
