Okere warns league uncertainty hurting clubs, players and Harambee Stars
The start of the season has been thrown into uncertainty by ongoing court proceedings, with Kariobangi Sharks challenging a Sports Disputes Tribunal decision that upheld FKF’s 2025 promotion and relegation rules. The ruling resulted in Sharks’ automatic relegation from the top flight.
Bandari FC Head Coach Charles Okere has called for an urgent resolution to the uncertainty surrounding the start of the new league season, warning that the prolonged stalemate is placing psychological and financial strain on clubs and players.
Okere spoke on Thursday this week after Bandari thrashed Malindi-based County League side L-15 FC 5-0 in a friendly at Mbaraki Sports Ground, where the Dockers continued preparations for the new campaign.
The start of the season has been thrown into uncertainty by ongoing court proceedings, with Kariobangi Sharks challenging a Sports Disputes Tribunal decision that upheld FKF’s 2025 promotion and relegation rules. The ruling resulted in Sharks’ automatic relegation from the top flight.
“As coach, our work is to get the players ready, but our plea is for whatever is happening outside the field to get a solution because, by the end of the day, it is the clubs and players who are affected, and more so the psychological distress,” Okere said.
He also expressed concern that the lack of competitive matches could undermine the preparations of the national team, Harambee Stars, ahead of their upcoming qualifiers.
“You have seen the call-up of players to camp for the qualifiers, but we haven’t played any matches, so it’s not good for now. We have to sit and come up with a solution,” he said.
Bandari currently have new signing Lawrence Okoth Ouma in the Harambee Stars squad. Okere said the club wants to increase its contribution to the national team after previously having players such as Beja Nyamawi called up.
“We are delighted that we have a player called up for national team duties, but we have had other players in the Stars squad like Beja Nyamawi. We are a big team, which means we have to be having more call-ups. We will put structures in place and work towards that,” he added.
The Dockers were among the busiest clubs in the transfer window, bringing in 12 players and releasing 18. Their recruits include Keith Imbali from Shabana, Alex Kipruto from Talanta FC, Derrick Nsibambi from Uganda’s KCCA FC, Ouma from Finnish club SJK Seinäjoki and Kevin Ouma.
Okere praised Bandari’s management for investing in modern training infrastructure, including video analysis, tracking vests and nutrition programmes.
“Bandari FC management has invested much in us. They have given us everything we have wanted,” he said.
For L-15, assistant coach Billy Mwangemi said the friendly provided valuable lessons as the team seeks to rise through Kenya’s football ranks.
“We played last against Mombasa United and we learned, and today against Bandari FC we have implemented some of the things. I am happy we are learning the hard way,” Mwangemi said.
