Football Kenya Premier League latest transfer window closed on Thursday night after allowing teams to bolster their sides and also shed off some players. Dennis Mabuka and Edwin Otieno take a look at the key players who made moves during the window

1. Paul ‘Maldez’ Were (Rayon Sport, Rwanda to Mathare United)

The 30-year-old winger is making a comeback to the Kenyan scene after stints in Europe with his latest stay in Rwanda where he turned out for Rayon Sports. Were, who was part of Kenya’s squad at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, has turned out for Tusker and AFC Leopards in the FKF Premier League and also played in South Africa for AmaZulu. He will be tasked to help the ‘Slum Boys’ earn direct promotion to the top flight.

2. Bryne Omondi (KCB to Bandari)

After a stellar display with KCB last season which saw him keep 13 clean sheets, he continued with the same form at the start of the current campaign, helping the Bankers to crucial victories that saw them stay in touch with the leading pack in the league. However, Omondi, who has also been instrumental for Harambee Stars under coach Engin Firat, left the Bankers to join the Dockers on a two-year deal.

where he re-united with Harambee Stars’ goalkeeper trainer Jerim Onyango.

3. Nicholas Kipkirui (KCB to Homeboyz)

The 27-year-old formerly turned out for Kericho-based Zoo FC before moving to Gor Mahia in 2018 where he ended up winning a treble of FKF Premier League titles in 2018, 2018-19, and 2019-20 before moving to Nairobi City Stars. After a season at City Stars where he made 33 appearances and scored six goals, Kipkirui moved to KCB in the 2021-22 campaign.

He failed to cement a starting role at the Bankers and he has now opted to join Kakamega Homeboyz on a one-year deal. He was capped for Kenya during an international friendly away to Mauritania in August 2017 after coming on as a late substitute at the Stade Adrar.

4. Shafik Batambuze (Singida, Tanzania to Homeboyz)

The Ugandan midfielder is making a return to the Kenyan league after leaving for short stints in Zambia and then Tanzania. Batambuze is not new in Kenya football as he won the league title with Gor Mahia in 2018 after joining from Tusker, where he had managed 41 appearances and scored six goals. In total, he has played for Simba SC of Tanzania, Muhoroni Youth, SC Villa of Uganda, Western Stima, Sofapaka, Tusker, and Singida United where he has left to join Homeboyz. He made his international debut for the Cranes in 2016 and was named in the squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

5. Kennedy Odhiambo (Posta Rangers to AFC Leopards)

The talented ball-playing defender, who joined the Den from high-flying Posta Rangers. Owino also spent time at Chemelil Sugar, Sony Sugar Western Stima, and Gor Mahia. At Gor Mahia, he failed to impress and was released before he joined the Mailmen where he caught the eyes of the Ingwe technical bench led by Belgian Tomas Trucha.”

“It is always a dream to play for one of the biggest teams in Kenya,” said Owino on signing, adding: “I couldn’t say no when they approached me for the move. I am delighted to join AFC Leopards.”

6. Musa Masika (KCB to Gor Mahia)

Masika is eager to step out of the shadow of his elder brother Ayub Timbe Masika after signing for the reigning champions from KCB. Masika was instrumental by helping Wazito FC earn promotion to the top-flight in 2019. Musa, who has gone through the ranks at the national juniors team before eventually making his Harambee Stars debut away to Tanzania in last year’s (CHAN), has without doubt been on a steady rise.

7. Enock Wanyama (Taiwain Leopards CAT, China to Gor Mahia)

The 22-year-old winger, who has previously been a part of the national U20 team, embarked on this exciting journey with K’Ogalo after he departed from the Taipei-based club, Leopards Cat FC. Wanyama, who began his football journey with Ligi Ndogo and Kariobangi Sharks, had previously trained with the league champions but failed to reach an agreement before venturing to Taiwan. His initial attempt to play for Slovakian top-tier side FK Pohronie in 2021 did not materialise as expected, leading him to explore other opportunities.

8. John Makwata (Zesco Utd, Zambia to Kariobangi Sharks)

The 28-year-old arrives at Sharks after leaving Gaborone United of Botswana. Makwata was recruited by Nairobi City Stars while playing for Kenyan JMJ Academy, in his early days. He played as a midfielder before the then-City Stars coach Jan Koops converted him into a striker.

He went ahead to play for UlinzI Stars where he managed 63 appearances and scored 38 goals, and also played for Zambia’s Buildcon, AFC Leopards before returning to Zambia, where he featured for the champions Zesco United.

9. Farouk Shikhalo (Kakamega Homeboyz to KCB)

Having lost goalkeeper Bryne Omondi to Bandari, KCB were in the market for a replacement and they finally nailed the signature of Shikhalo, who had left Homeboyz on mutual agreement. During his two seasons at Homeboyz, Shikhalo helped Abana Beingo to lift the FKF Cup after defeating Tusker 1-0 in the final.

He has also played for Talanta FC, Tusker, and Muhoroni Youth, a side he helped win the Top 8 Cup after defeating Gor Mahia in the final before he moved to Posta Rangers. In Tanzania, he has played for Yanga SC, Mtibwa Sugar, and KMC.

10. Samuel Onyango (Kabwe Warriors, Zambia to Police FC)

Samuel Onyango has had a bright career that saw him feature for the national team in several occasions and will certainly be a boost to league chasing Kenya Police FC after joining from Zambia league side Kabwe Warriors.

Onyango has had stints with league champions Gor Mahia and Ulinzi Stars.