The Kenyan players who could be moving to clubs abroad on big-money transfers after an impressive 2023-24 campaign.
With the conclusion of the 2023-24 season drawing closer, attention is set to shift to the transfer window.
A number of players will be seeking moves away from their current clubs to kickstart their careers while others will be looking to move to bigger clubs on better paying deals.
A host of Kenyan players are already attracting interest from clubs out of the country due to their impressive performances and they could be securing big-money deals in the next few months.
Benson Omala
The Gor Mahia striker could be playing in Algeria had a proposed move in January not collapsed at the 11th hour.
Omala was close to signing for Algerian club JS Soura when late submission of documents killed the deal but that does not mean the interest has waned.
While JS Soura reportedly replaced him with a west African player, they could be back in for him and if not, another club from the continent might be preparing a big-money offer.
Rivals USM Alger were heavily linked with Omala before JS Soura got in front of the queue but there has also been reported interest from South Africa and Zambia.
Omala scored a record-equaling 26 goals last season and while the numbers have reduced this campaign, he is still the FKF Premier League’s leading scorer, having bagged 15 so far.
John ‘Champe’ Ochieng
Former Gor Mahia midfielder John ‘Champe’ Ochieng just moved to Zambia at the start of this season but he could be on the move again at the end of the campaign.
Ochieng has become a key cog at Zambian side Zanaco where he has endeared himself to the fans due to his impressive performance at the base of the midfield.
Champe is reportedly a transfer target of Rwandan giants APR and there is interest also from South Africa. However, interested clubs will have to part with a large sum to take him away as Zanaco have placed a $150,000 (Ksh19,721,889) price tag on him.
Richard Odada
Harambee Stars midfielder Richard Odada has done well at Danish club Aalborg to put himself in contention for a permanent move to the club.
Odada joined Aalborg on loan from US side Philadelphia Union last August, with an option to make the move permanent, and he could be moving to Europe following a good season with the Danish second tier side.
The midfielder had a torrid time in Philadelphia, where he became a bench warmer while he also had to contend with spells in the second-string side, but has enjoyed a new lease of life in Denmark, where he has four goals and an assist, while becoming a key fixture in the national team.
Odada will hope that Aalborg gets promoted to the Danish top flight which will further strengthen the case for his permanent signing.
Austin Odhiambo
Ever-green Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo is enjoying another good season which has seen rival clubs from the continent take notice.
Odhiambo has nine goals to his name and has also chipped in with key assists as K’Ogalo march to a record-extending 21st league title and he is among players the club will be struggling to hold onto at the end of the season.
The player had been locked in a contract standoff with the club before the start of this season as he had stalled on a new two-year deal while demanding the payment of his signing-on fee.
Odhiambo’s stellar campaign has seen clubs from Zambia take notice and with the history of FKF-PL’s top performers moving to the southern African nation, a transfer could be imminent.
John Makwata
Kariobangi Sharks striker John Makwata just returned to the country in February after nearly four years in Zambia and Botswana but could be headed abroad again following his stellar show for William Muluya’s side.
Makwata enhanced his reputation on Saturday when he scored four goals as Sharks hammered Sofapaka 5-2 to take his tally to 11 in all competitions in just three months, making him the on-form striker in the country.
The former AFC Leopards, Ulinzi Stars and Kenya Police man was released by Gaborone United last June, with 14 months still remaining on his deal, and while there were some off-field issues, he has done his talking on the pitch back in Kenya.
With his experience and networks across the continent, Makwata could be headed back abroad after showing that form is temporary but class is permanent.
Kayci Odhiambo
AFC Leopards defender Kayci Odhiambo could also be moving abroad if his representatives manage to agree a deal with Ingwe.
Pulse Sports understands the player’s agent is keen to have him move abroad but an agreement is still proving difficult.
However, whoever buys the defender will be getting a gem given his defensive prowess and ball-paying abilities.
Odhiambo’s versatility is also an added advantage as he can slot into midfield whenever needed.
Moses Shummah
Kakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shummah has not enjoyed a prolific 2023-24 campaign as last season but that has not stopped his representatives from looking for a move abroad.
Shummah, who has six league goals so far this term, was among a number of players who were highly sought at the end of last season and while most of the interest was local, it could be out of the country this time around.
A Moroccan club is believed to have looked at the player with a view to signing him but there is also interest from eastern Europe with representatives from Turkey reportedly handling the deal.
