When the South Kivu conflict escalated to the tipping point in 2016, Nzoia Sugar winger Felicien Okanda and his family were foundered and any loophole to sneak out of the hotbed of the deadly violence was all what they were desperately looking for to save their lives. The family was rendered hopeless after the rekindled wave of clashes locked their financial taps leaving them staring at the possibility of starving to death. Their flourishing cereals business slowly crumbled down as their clients could not risk their lives by making an inch out of their doors.Raïa Mutomboki are a mai-mai militia operating in the North and South Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The group formed in 2005 to fight against Rwandan Hutu groups such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) as part of the Kivu conflict pic.twitter.com/baydNMetJ6— The CARROT Co. {Co is for Collaboration} (@TheCARROTCo) July 25, 2020 The deafening sound emanating from the fierce exchange of gunfire between the warring fronts made life unbearable at the gold-rich province. Occasionally, the wrangling foes would put their machine guns’ down to broker a ceasefire, an opportunity which the stranded civilians would grab with both hands to run for their dear lives.Out of the unconstrained motherly love, a quick thinking Maria Mulasi Kizungu literally bundled in seven out of his eleven children in a waiting Nairobi bound bus hankering to evacuate them to a relatively calmer place. Luckily, Okanda was among the seven children Kizungu managed to rally for the tortuous two-day trip to Nairobi with the rest remaining behind under the wings of their father Lukunga Okanda who was reluctant to leave the town he had called home since childhood.
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With no bona-fide travel documents, maneuvering past the borders proved yet another hurdle but the refugee tag bailed them and miraculously managed to cover the whooping 1, 713.7 kilometers to Nairobi. The serene environment at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offices in Nairobi coupled by the warm reception planted smiles on the family and the rest of refugees who had sought refuge at the Westland based offices. “When fights broke up in South Kivu, my mother’s business was affected and she could no longer fend for us. She was a big businesswoman dealing with cereals in our area town. Unfortunately, Dad had also left his government job leaving the family vulnerable. Our uncle, Clement Mufaume Kizungu who had successfully sought asylum in the United States of America advised us to flee to a safer country, precisely Kenya. I was among the seven out of the eleven kids who escaped alongside my mother to Nairobi, ” he narrated. After a week of unbridled relief and care at the UNHCR offices, Okanda’s family was transferred to the Kakuma Refugee Camp, one of the world’s major camp located in the Northwest of Turkana county.The horrifying experiences had left many with shattered dreams and Okanda was among those who deeply cursed the perpetrators of the clashes for derailing his journey to professional football by reducing him to a refugee.60’| Double SubOut: Okanda Felicien and Tartan MashaIn: Philip Michuma and Felix MboyaScores: @nzoiasugarfc2 0️⃣-1️⃣ @posta_rangers #BKPL pic.twitter.com/EMHBX7tgr0— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) December 19, 2020 Prior to fleeing, the stocky player who signed his contract at Safari FC while a student at Faraja Bethania Secondary School was preparing to return to Burundi to rejoin Aigle Noir whom he had played for in 2015.However, as the old adage goes, time is the best healer, few months after getting over healing from the trauma inflicted by the disturbing instability back at home, Okanda began focusing on what he loved most, playing football. The flanker who fell in love with the game while a pupil at the Ep Kahuwa Primary School was introduced to Ukapi FC an outfit constituted by talented refugee players. To quench the thirst amongst the wide pool of the players, the Kakuma Premier League was formed, giving Okanda and the rest the platform to showcase their talents. “Considering that we were living in high end apartments in DR Congo before the unrest, I struggled to adapt to life in the refugee camp although it was better due to the peace we were enjoying. After some time, the process of adapting to life at the camp was quickened after I joined Ukapi FC and the formation of the league. Playing football again made life easier for me in the camp, “he continued. Okanda who had partially tested professional football in Burundi after writing his final high school exams was head and shoulders above the rest after being named the best player of the year and the top scorer with nine goals. The outstanding players in the maiden season formed Kakuma United which enrolled in the Football Kenya Federation Division two competition in 2018. The new kid on the block was on the verge of qualifying to the Division One league but lost to Busia Wolves in the playoffs. “At Kakuma, I managed to rediscover my form and in the first year, I won the golden boot and was subsequently named the best player. I helped the team perform well in the division two the following year,” he said. Okanda who had been accustomed to the Kenyan culture was preparing for his second season in the fourth tier only for Kakamega Homeboyz to come calling. He trained with the club for a few weeks but as fate would have it, he failed to agree on terms with them and hence returned to the camp. Hardly had the 26-year old slumped to the camp than Nzoia Sugar popped up with an offer which he gladly took in January 2019 marking an end of stay at the camp as well search for an opportunity to return to professional football. “Our good run in the division two paid dividends to some of us as clubs came looking for our signatures. I was invited to try out with Homeboyz but the transfer fell through in the last minute. Before I could get over the heartbreak, Nzoia placed an offer at the table and took it. Playing in the top league in Kenya was a dream come true, “he said. Okanda who enjoys the comfort from his compatriot and teammate Gaetan Masha who also came in Kenya as a refugee adapted to life in the top flight with ease and at some point was said to be a Wazito and a KCB target.HT: We go to the break trailing 0-1. Felicien Okanda scored for Nzoia Sugar— Ulinzi Stars FC (@UlinziStarsFC) November 24, 2019 Despite overcoming the challenges and making a living from the game, the player who can be deployed as a defensive midfielder has never forgotten his roots as he occasionally goes back to the camp to encourage budding players and visiting his family and friends. Okanda who has a year remaining in his contract with the sugarmen counsels upcoming players in the camp to hold their heads high of their humble beginnings and keep a firm focus on their targets. “Whenever I go back to the camp, I meet skillful players who deserve to be playing in the top flight. I always encourage them to take football seriously for it can unlock the door of fortunes. I regard the camp as my home and when I am free, I visit my family and friends there, ” he said. BioFull name: Felicien OkandaDate of birth: 01/05/1995Nationality: CongoleseHeight: 5’7Weight: 73 KGSFavorite meal: Chapati and beansBest friend in the team: Gaetan Masha Education Ep Kahuwa Primary School – 2003 – 2008Faraja Bethania Secondary School – 2009-2014Former clubsSafari FC – 2013-2014Aigle Noir – 2015Ukapi FC- 2016 – January 2019 Awards2017 Top scorer in the Kakuma Premier League2017 MVP in the Kakuma Premier League
