More than 5,000 Kenyans have signed a petition urging President William Ruto to award the prestigious Head of State Commendation (HSC) to former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno, marking a major milestone in a spirited campaign to recognise the towering legend’s contribution to football and the community.

The petition, which had initially targeted 1,000 signatures, reached its climax on Sunday, May 11, 2025, during a vibrant sports day at Jericho in Nairobi.

The event drew hundreds of football lovers and featured an exhibition match where Otieno captained a team of former Harambee Stars legends to a 2-0 victory over “Friends of Musa”, a side featuring players mostly from Jericho’s Jambu FC.

Otieno, alongside fellow veteran Sammy “Pamzo” Omolo, anchored a formidable defence, while former international player Nicholas Muyoti led the charge up front with a goal and an assist.

Speaking after the match, Otieno expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and used the occasion to champion a broader cause: recognition for Kenya’s forgotten sports heroes.

“Being recognised would be a great personal honour, but more importantly, this is about creating a structured way of appreciating legends who have contributed to sports and society. Many former players are voiceless, yet they’ve made huge sacrifices. It shouldn’t take public petitions for such recognition to happen,” Otieno remarked.

The signature drive was spearheaded by a dedicated committee led by Martin Kang’ara, who lauded the overwhelming response and said the petition represents a clarion call for justice and honour.

“Musa Otieno played 105 times for the national team over 15 years. That kind of consistency and leadership deserves state recognition. This campaign is just the beginning. We must continue to honour our legends while they’re still with us,” Kang’ara told attendees.

The initiative was driven by a coalition of football enthusiasts, community leaders and stakeholders, including former FKF Head of Communication Kenn Okaka, Eastlands opinion leader Boniface Munyao and Makadara-based digital media outfit Cartel TV who all rallied support from across Nairobi’s football-mad Eastlands neighbourhoods.

Otieno, affectionately known as “Otero”, has become a central figure in nurturing the next generation of footballers through his Kick Off to Hope Football Academy in Makadara.

His efforts in coaching, mentoring and social development have been widely praised, with many of his academy products now playing in leagues abroad.

A FIFA and CAF instructor, Otieno has previously served as assistant coach for Harambee Stars and head coach of Harambee Starlets, with his leadership credentials extending far beyond the pitch.