You probably know of Victor Wanyama and Michael Olunga but who are other Kenyan footballers playing abroad? For a very long time Kenya has been known for athletics on the international stage but that does not write us off as football passionate nation because the talents are there. Kenya has consistently produced talented players who have ventured beyond their homeland to make a mark on the international stage. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the Kenyan footballers playing abroad, showcasing their skills and contributing to the global football community.
8 Kenyan Footballers Playing Abroad
Victor Wanyama
Having played for the Scottish giants Celtics, Victor Wanyama has been a trailblazer for Kenyan footballers abroad. Big Vic has also played for Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton in England and is currently showcasing his talent at CF Montreal in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.
Michael Olunga
Of course you know this former Technical University student and a prolific striker is one of the Kenya footballers playing abroad. Michael Olunga has been a standout performer in Japan’s J1 League. Playing for Al-Duhail SC in the Qatar Stars League, Olunga has consistently found the back of the net, solidifying his reputation as one of Kenya’s most prolific strikers on the global stage. Before moving to Qatar Olunga played for Djurgardens in Sweden where again he showed his class.
Ayub Timbe
Winger Ayub Timbe has been a consistent performer in various leagues across Europe. Currently playing for Nanjing City FC in China, Timbe has impressed with his pace, skill, and ability to create scoring opportunities. His journey showcases the diversity of Kenyan talent making a mark in different footballing cultures.
Johanna Omollo
A midfield maestro, Johanna Omollo has been an essential presence for his club, Oostende in the Belgian Pro League. Omollo’s tenacity and technical ability have not only benefited his team but have also contributed to changing perceptions about African players in Europe.
Brian Mandela
Defensive prowess is personified by Brian Mandela, who has been a reliable figure in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) with Mamelodi Sundowns. Mandela’s defensive skills and leadership on the field highlight the global impact of Kenyan players in various positions. Even though he has been struggling with getting enough game time recently, he is one of the best Kenyan footballers playing abroad.
Eric Ouma
Eric Ouma is the Kenyan Morata—changing clubs like attires. Born in Nairobi and also known as Marcelo, Ouma signed a six-month contract with Gor Mahia in January 2016, before renewing it until the end of the year during the summer. Eric Ouma would later leave Gor Mahia at the end of his contract to sign a six-month contract with Georgian club Kolkheti Poti in January 2017.
In February 2018, he moved to Albanian club KS Kastrioti, and by September 2018 he was playing for Swedish club Vasalund, for whom he made 22 appearances, scoring two goals. He then moved to AIK for the 2020 season. Ouma made his international debut for Kenya in 2016 and was also a squad member at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Eric has started attracting scouts from English Premier League but there has been no offer yet from arguably the best league in the world.
Richard Odada
Currently with AaB of Denmark, the 22-year-old former AFC Leopards midfielder joined MLS club Philadelphia Union in August 2022 from Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade where he only made two league appearances in three years.In Philadelphia, Odada was a bench warmer for the senior side in their league matches and did not play any top flight game.
During the same year, Odada played for FC Metellac in the Serbian top tier, having been loaned out by Red Star Belgrade to find the valuable playing time.Odada spent time with the Belgrade Under-19 team before being promoted to the senior ranks. He also trained with Juventus.
Tyler Onyango
Onyango was born in England to a Kenyan father and English mother and is eligible to play as a youth international for England. Tyler Onyango was signed by Everton though for reasons known to the Merseyside club he has been out on loan to different championship clubs.
On 24 January 2021, Onyango made his first-team debut for Everton when he came off of the bench to replace André Gomes in the 85th minute of an FA Cup fourth round victory over Sheffield Wednesday. On 21 November 2021, Onyango made his Premier League debut as a substitute in the final minute of a 3–0 defeat to Manchester City,[going on to make a further two league appearances in the 2021–22 season as Everton narrowly avoided relegation.
On 27 July 2022, Onyango joined EFL League One club Burton Albion on a season-long loan deal and later returned to Everton on January 2023.Tyler Onyango is one the Kenyan footballers playing abroad—well, he is only the second one with mixed parenthood after Divock Origi.
Joseph Okumu
Joseph Okumu is a true son of the soil and has been making moves abroad. Okumu has played club football for Chemelil and on 16 August 2018, he signed for USL Championship side Real Monarchs. He later transferred to Swedish Allsvenskan side IF Elfsborg for an undisclosed fee in 2019.Okumu then signed for Belgian club Gent on 21 June 2021 for €3.5 million.The former Chemelil star is currently playing for French club Reims where he inked a deal on July 2023.
This list of Kenyan footballers playing abroad might keep changing because football is a work in progress, deals happen anytime. Nonetheless, the diaspora of Kenyan football talent is expanding, and these players are not only representing their clubs but also carrying the flag of Kenyan football to new heights. As these athletes continue to thrive abroad, they inspire a new generation of players back home, showcasing that dreams of playing at the highest level are attainable for those with dedication and skill.
