Football
Exclusive: Francis Baraza Takes Charge at Kakamega Homeboyz as Ken Kenyatta Replacement
Francis Baraza replaces Ken Kenyatta as head coach of Kakamega Homeboyz after a string of poor results. Baraza, with a six-month contract, is tasked with reviving the FKF Premier League side's fortunes.
Homeboyz Media
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League outfit Kakamega Homeboyz have settled for the services of Francis Baraza as the new head coach for the remainder of the season.
The coaching role at the Kakamega-based club fell vacant following the sacking of Ken Kenyatta. The former FC Talanta coach was relieved of his duties after a string of poor results in the top-flight.
Homeboyz had endured a frustrating campaign which had seen them go for five matches without a win. They kicked off their season with a shocking 3-0 defeat against promoted side Mara Sugar, and went ahead to register two draws - 0-0 against another promoted side Mathare United and 2-2 against Tusker.
Homeboyz then suffered two consecutive defeats - 1-0 against Kariobangi Sharks and 4-1 against table leaders KCB. The outcome of the opening five matches prompted the club's top management to crack the whip by showing Kenyatta, who had arrived from Talanta at the start of the season, the exit door.
Baraza Tasked to Revive Homeboyz Fortunes
Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula confirmed to SportsBoom.com they had settled on Baraza to steady the sinking ship after the former Kenya Police tactician agreed to pen a six month contract.
“We have handed the coaching mantle to Francis (Baraza), he is an experienced coach whom we believe will revive our fortunes in the league, we had started badly but having him on board will definitely help improve on our results,” Shimanyula told SportsBoom.com.
He has signed a six month contract, and if he does well, then we will negotiate for an extension, Baraza is happy working under the short term deal and he will be given a free hand to bring his coaching staff
Cleophas Shimanyula
Baraza arrived at Homeboyz after he was fired by Kenya Police in September 2023 following a poor start to the season. He went ahead to demand more than Ksh4 million awarded to him by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) over wrongful dismissal.
Baraza issued Police with a Ksh4.9 million demand notice, being Sh3.2 million for constructive dismissal, Sh800,000 for unfair termination of his contract, his salary arrears for September 2023, and a further Sh400,000 for the notice period.
After leaving Police, Baraza, who previously had coached top teams including Tusker FC, Chemelil Sugar, Western Stima and Sony Sugar, as well as Tanzanian sides Biashara United and Kagera Sugar, moved to Tanzania where he took up the coaching role at Dodoma Jiji.
However, he never lasted in Tanzania as he was fired owing to a string of poor results.
Four Coaches Had Applied for Homeboyz Job
Apart from Baraza, Shimanyula confirmed the vacant role had attracted three other coaches - Nicholas Muyoti, Bernard Mwalala and Tom Juma.
“Four coaches had applied for the job within the few days we had fired Kenyatta, and apart from Baraza, we had Mwalala who wanted to come back, Muyoti, who wanted to come back and Tom Juma,” explained Shimanyula.
“We had to sit down as a club to pick the best, and in honest we settled for Baraza, Infact, he has already arrived and trained the team for their mid-week game against Nairobi City Stars, he even selected the line-up but our former player Paul Odhiambo sat in the bench.”
During the fixture at Mumias Complex, Homeboyz registered their first win of the campaign after beating Simba wa Nairobi 2-0. Oliver Majak scored the opener for Abana Beingo in the sixth minute before Moses Shummah drilled home the second in the 45th minute. Both goals were assisted by Ambrose Sifuna.
Shimanyula attributed their first victory to the presence of Baraza by saying: “He coached the team for the last three days before we played City Stars and the players responded by giving him victory. When he officially takes charge the team will play even better.”
Shimanyula further said the response of the team winning after the exit of Kenyatta showed the former Talanta coach had lost the dressing room.
“It looks like the players did not like Kenyatta, maybe his style of play or his training methods, I don’t want to dwell much on him (Kenyatta) now but take this opportunity to welcome Baraza and on board and wish all the best in the new tole,” offered Shimanyula.
Homeboyz will next take on Murang’a Seal at SportPesa Arena on Sunday, October 27 before they face Sofapaka on Saturday, November 2.
Dennis is a seasoned journalist in Kenya with over 18 years of experience. Having started his career at Kenya Times Newspaper, Dennis worked for Standard Newspaper for nearly six years as a Sports Writer. At Standard, he was privileged to cover Kenya's national team Harambee Stars outside the country, the biggest of all being the Four Nations tournament in Cairo, Egypt. He also covered the U17 team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.