Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has hailed the progress made in the FKF Premier League, describing the recently concluded campaign as one of the most competitive and encouraging seasons Kenyan football has witnessed in years.
Speaking on the growth of the domestic game, the Kenyan striker praised the decision to increase the league winners’ prize money to KES 15 million, terming it a positive step towards professionalizing the sport and motivating clubs to compete at a higher level.
“The season is a long journey. We have to motivate teams to compete better and better,” said Olunga.
His remarks carry significant weight, considering the remarkable journey that transformed him from a local league sensation into one of Africa’s most respected strikers.
The Rise of “The Engineer”
Nicknamed “The Engineer” due to his academic background at the Technical University of Kenya, Michael Olunga announced himself on the Kenyan football scene during his spell at Gor Mahia.
After joining K’Ogalo, Olunga became a key figure in one of the club’s most successful eras. In 2015, he played a pivotal role as Gor Mahia won the Kenyan Premier League title without losing a single match throughout the season. He finished the campaign with 19 league goals and was instrumental in helping the club secure multiple trophies.
His outstanding performances earned him the prestigious Footballer of the Year Award in 2015, becoming the first player in the domestic league to receive the top individual accolade accompanied by a record cash prize.
Olunga was also named the Most Valuable Player of the 2015 season after inspiring Gor Mahia’s unbeaten title-winning campaign.
Conquering Europe, Asia and the Middle East
Following his success with Gor Mahia, Olunga’s career took him across the globe.
He enjoyed a successful spell with Swedish side Djurgårdens IF before moving to China and later Spain, where he made history by becoming the first Kenyan to score a hat-trick in Spain’s top division during his time at Girona FC.
The striker then moved to Japan, where he became one of the most feared forwards in Asian football with Kashiwa Reysol. His goals powered the club to promotion and earned him the J.League MVP and Golden Boot honors before he secured a move to Qatar.
At Al Duhail SC, Olunga continued his incredible scoring form, winning domestic titles and establishing himself among the continent’s elite forwards. His prolific record in Japan and Qatar cemented his status as one of Kenya’s greatest football exports.
A Voice for the Growth of Kenyan Football
Despite his international success, Olunga has remained closely connected to Kenyan football.
The Harambee Stars captain praised the competitiveness shown throughout the FKF Premier League season and singled out AFC Leopards for pushing the title race deep into the campaign.
He emphasized that while rewarding champions is important, football authorities should also consider improving financial incentives for runners-up and other high-performing clubs.
According to Olunga, increased investment from the Football Kenya Federation and corporate sponsors will help raise standards, improve infrastructure, attract talent, and make the Kenyan league more competitive both regionally and continentally.
For a player who once dazzled fans in Gor Mahia colors before conquering Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Olunga’s message is clear: Kenyan football is making progress, but greater rewards and sustained investment are needed to unlock its full potential.
As one of the country’s most successful football ambassadors, his belief in the FKF Premier League’s future will undoubtedly inspire clubs, players, sponsors, and fans alike.
