Why Kenyan players prefer destination Tanzania

Tanzania has become a favorite location for Kenyan footballers in the recent past and over a dozen players plying their trade in the top tier Championship across the border.
Top players who also serve the national team have been or are still in active duty for premier clubs like Simba SC, Yanga SC and Azam FC. But why the short journey to a nation whose Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is far lower than that of Kenya?
Experts and analysts point out three major factors as to why Bongo is a safe hub for four players despite fairly well known clubs back at home like the multiple winning trio of Gor Mahia FC, Tusker FC and AFC Leopards SC.
Some of the issues they look at are professionalism, infrastructure and remuneration in which Tanzania is miles ahead of Kenya.
Kenya’s situation can be attributed to the collapse of the multi-million broadcasting deal with Supersport a couple of years back.
Former Gor Mahia FC Captain (now with Kenya Police FC) Kenneth Muguna has praised the Tanzania Premiership as advanced and organized and as such a force to reckon with in coming years.
““They market their football well. All their media houses cover local football extensively which means it makes people want to be associated with the game. Apart from that, the fact that the game has so many fans has allowed their league to attract more sponsors which has put them in a good position financially,” the national team midfielder, who two seasons ago turned out for Azam FC, says.
The word out is that the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has deployed the approach of foreigners to market their football. This has made the game grow by leaps and bounds not forgetting the fact that the locals are very passionate about the sport.
Former Tusker FC defender Christopher Oruchum on his part offers; “The regulation to have more many foreign players in a particular club helps in making the league better as clubs sign the best across the continent and beyond.”
“If you can pool the best players then you’re assured that the league will be exciting,” says the lanky centre back that plays for Pamba FC. Tanzania allows clubs to sign 12 foreigners but with a rider that only seven can feature in a match.
Another key factor that makes Kenyans feel at home in Tanzania is how big a deal foreigners are treated over there. The locals also seem to have little time for foreign leagues and focus on their own thus an easy avenue for Corporates to chip in and make a good buck due to viewership and also ticketing that benefits clubs directly.
Some of the stars that currently are in Tanzania top tier include Duke Abuya (Yanga), Joash Onyango (Singida), Elvis Rupia (Singida), John Mark Makwatta (Coastal Union), Robinson Kamura (Dodoma Jiji) and Eric Kapaito (Namungo FC).
On the other hand, the Ladies league has also roped in Kenyans with Simba Queens FC having the trio of Jentrix Shikangwa, Corazon Aquino, and Wincate Kaari in their books.