Why these clubs are in decline

The primary reason for the decline of these clubs is not the fans or the referees or the coaches. The reason is fairly simple: Club officials. many of these officials are well meaning but lack the knowledge or are completely bereft of ideas. Others simply refuse to do the right thing because they have vested interests at stake.

Too often club officials join the club ostensibly to help launch their political careers. AFC leopards in particular have had a succession of politicians who took advantage of the passion that AFC fans have for their team to boost their political careers. But as soon as the club was no longer of any use to them, they abandoned it. Which leaves one wondering if they were true fans to begin with. In other cases officials are well meaning but simply lack ideas or lack the resolve to make the clubs viable. In most cases they end up leaving the club in worse shape than it was before.

It is with this in mind that we fans must get together to put pressure on our club officials to put the interests of these clubs. We the fans must start to put pressure on our officials to start running the clubs like 21st century clubs. Given the numerous vested interests at stake, these officials will likely never make any changes unless pressured. We are therefore asking fans, players, former players and other well wishers to sign their names to this page. We plan on collecting at least a thousand signatures or more. We would also like fans to write to us and tell us what changes they think should be made in order to transform these clubs into winning outfits. We plan on gaining as much publicity for this noble endeavor from the media. Not only do we want to pressure the club officials but we would also like to pressure politicians to help us in the endeavor. They after all are our representatives and are supposed to represent our best interests. So the next time a politician comes to your neck of the woods, be sure to emphasize the need to reform self supporting clubs and possibly refer him/her to this website.

Why we must do something about it

1. The fortunes of Kenya football are directly tied to the fortunes of self supporting clubs. When these clubs thrive, so will the national team. Kenya dominated regional football in the 1980s thanks in large part to the quality players emerging from these clubs.
2. The national league will be able to draw more fans and maintain public interest. As things stand now, the league is dominated by institutional teams which simply cannot draw fans. Continental matches involving teams like Tusker are often poorly attended.

Most fans nowadays are more obsessed with the English premier league to the detriment of local football.

3. Because the clubs are in such decline that a new generation of children has grown up with absolutely no interest in local football. It is fair to say that most secondary and primary school children nowadays have absolutely no interest in local clubs. Self supporting clubs are therefore not converting any new fans among the younger generation. Unless this situation is arrested, there will come a time when absolutely no one has any interest in the local league. that will spell disaster for Kenya football.
4. Football can be a uniting factor for Kenyans unlike politics. When these clubs were excelling in the 1980s, they commanded fans from all over the country. This was readily evident whenever one attended a football match.
5. Far too much talent has gone to waste in Kenya. Many excellent footballers have opted out of football. Many are forced to leave the country to go and play in places like Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda etc. Its a crying shame that teams from these neighbouring countries are able to offer Kenyan players better pay.  Kenyans are thus being denied an opportunity to watch the best players that Kenya has to offer.

a. If you are a Shabana fan I am sure you long for the days of players like Motego, Nyandoro, Otambo, Owegi, Mabruk, Fwaya Oloo......

b. If you are a Gor Mahia fan you are nostalgic about the days of players like Lule, Thigo, Kempes, Makamu, Magongo, Dawo, Shebe.....

c. If you are an AFC fan you miss the days of players like Murila, Mulamba, Shoto, Musuku, Zimbo, Masiga, Abass, Tasso.............

If self supporting clubs would get their acts in order, it would be possible for Kenyan fans to see their very best players at the peak of their powers. Fans would return to the stadia in droves.

6. Do not be fooled by a clubs current results. Even if one of these clubs wins the league this year, things will not change and it may end up finishing dead last the following year. The reason for this is because the structures that are needed to make the club financially stable are not in place. A club can benefit from being financed by a politician this year and for that reason may win the league. But if that politician abandons the club next year, they will perform poorly. In other words there is no continuity. Which is why these clubs must eradicate the culture of depending on politicians.
7. A thriving league with well run clubs can provide employment for Kenyans. Coaches, players, therapists, managers etc. And this is important especially with unemployment running at 40%.

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