Ex-AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia stars who kept the veterans’ show rolling in 2026
The Kenyan top flight is often a revolving door of talent.
As new prospects launched themselves into the league, some experienced stars returned or switched sides within the local scene to rediscover their shooting boots or provide veteran leadership.
You might also like
Whereas the long-serving duo of Philemon Otieno and had their last dance with Gor Mahia, the season witnessed several veterans who remain keen to continue their trade in the coming season, barring any late retirement announcements.
The seasoned crop of Francis Kahata, Jeremiah Kiplagat of Muranga Seal, and Humphrey Mieno demonstrated that class never fades, silently grinding in the top league beyond the radar of the top teams commanding huge fan bases
K24 digital Sports household names who are currently quietly pulling the strings or grinding out results, perhaps away from the primary spotlight, even as their influence remains.
Jackson Macharia: The silent playmaker
A decorated midfield engine with two league winners’ medals from his stint with Gor Mahia, Macharia was among the stars who went under the radar at Mathare United. Once the lynchpin of K’Ogalo’s title-winning transitions, his exploits overseas did not quite pan out as planned.
Upon his return to the Green Army, he struggled to reclaim his starting berth before trying out with the then John Kamau-coached side as he battled to prove he was not just surplus to requirements in a youthful squad.
Simon Munala: The Walcott of the flanks
When Munala first burst onto the scene at AFC Leopards, his raw pace and trickery drew immediate comparisons to former Arsenal speedster Theo Walcott. The attacker possessed the attributes of the old-fashioned wingers, acclaimed for hugging the touchline and terrorising fullbacks.
However, the infamous managerial merry-go-round at the Den and a congested pecking order stifled his momentum. After recalibrating his career through stints at KCB and Homeboyz, the wide man was among those angling to regain their spark at Bidco United.
Cliff Nyakeya: The technical maestro
Arguably one of the most technically gifted operators of his generation, Nyakeya’s acumen and vision once earned him the KPL midfielder of the year during his prime at Mathare United
After a brief professional stint with Egypt’s Masr, he returned home, eventually wearing the colours of Gor Mahia. Leopards, and Shabana.
In the twilight of his career, he joined Mara Sugar for the 2025/26 mid-season window, providing a creative spark for the top-flight newcomers for the brief stint.
Duncan Otieno: The midfield general
“Dunco” is a classic success story of the Leopards’ youth system, rising through the ‘Cubs’ to eventually don the captain’s armband for the senior team. A combative defensive midfielder with an eye for a long-range pass, he became a mainstay for Harambee Stars before a move to Zambia’s Nkana FC.
While he earned a league title with the star-studded Kenya Police FC in 2024, he eventually fell down the pecking order at the law enforcers. He later moved to Sofapaka, where he unsuccessfully went down in the end-of-season relegation scrap.
Shafik Batambuze: The versatile Legion
Nicknamed Bhachu, the Ugandan international was a vital component of the Jinja Connection that propelled Tusker FC to silverware at Ruaraka.
Batambuze is equally comfortable flying down the wing as a marauding left-back or operating as an inverted winger. After some time away, the Ugandan stalwart returned to the FKF PL to add continental experience to the Kakamega Homeboyz roster.
These players indeed shifted from being league legends to low-key legends: continuing their football journeys long after many considered their big lights had dimmed.
