Exclusive: Kakamega Homeboyz Turn Down Patrick Odhiambo Resignation to Join KCB
Kakamega Homeboyz have rejected coach Patrick Odhiambo's resignation to join KCB, citing unpaid salary claims and contractual breaches. Discover the full details in our exclusive report.
Image Credits: SoheilRobotics
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions Kakamega Homeboyz have turned down a move by head coach Patrick Odhiambo to resign and join KCB ahead of the new season.
SportsBoom.com can exclusively report that Odhiambo wrote a letter to Homeboyz demanding to be released so he can force
a move to the Bankers, who are without a coach following the exit of Bernard Mwalala at the end of last season.
Homeboyz Owe Me Ksh 390,000 as Accrued Salary
In the letter obtained by SportsBoom.com, Odhiambo faulted Homeboyz’s delay paying him three-month salary accrued to Ksh 390, 000 as among the reasons he was resigning to seek new challenges.
“I hereby formally resign from the position of the head coach of Kakamega Homeboyz with immediate effect,” read part of the letter dated July 24th sent to club chairman Shimanyula. “The reason for my resignation is because of the following: unpaid salary for three months (May, June, July 2024) totalling to Ksh 390,000.”
“Unpaid win bonus of Ksh 10,000 for our match against Murang’a Seal, failing to provide me with accommodation and medical cover which I was entitled to as provided in the contract, and being undermined by the club through their action of publicly scouting for my replacement while still performing my duties as the head coach.”
I would like to extend my gratitude to the entire Kakamega Homeboyz for the opportunity to be part of this prestigious team and sincerely wish the club continued success and all the best in the future endeavours.
Patrick Odhiambo
However, in a shift rejoinder further seen by SportBoom.com dated June 26th, Homeboyz through club Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Benard Shitiabayi denied owing Odhaimbo any salary arrears and called on FKF to ban him from the coaching fraternity for gross violation of coaching codes.
“We are in receipt of a letter written by Patrick (Odhiambo) our head coach, in his letter he has not disputed he has a running contract with Homeboyz, he has not disputed he absconded duty which is breach of contract, and he has failed to adhere to contractual obligations,” read part of the letter copied to FKF’S league and competitions committee.
“This is a clear indication of abuse of contract and negligence to FIFA statutes. FKF who is the custodian of football statutes, we now appeal to your able office to crack this nuisance behaviour which if not tamed will bring our beloved soccer into disrepute.
Image Credits: Pulse Sports Kenya
“In response to his (Odhiambo) allegations in a letter dated June 24th, we do not have any salary arrears for the months stated, the coach wants to play cat and mouse game after knowing very well he made a mistake.”
The letter continued: “We are still in the month of July, and he is claiming salary for this very month, this is an indication that he does not know which month we are in now, more so he has not been on duty for the last three weeks.
“We still reiterate that Odhiambo be compelled to pay the remainder of the contract, to pay emotional and psychological damage caused by unwarranted departure and be banned from coaching fraternity for gross violation of coaching codes.”
Odhiambo is Playing Cat and Mouse Game
According to Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula, the club has been informed that Odhiambo has been training KCB whereas he had a running contract with his side.
“We have been following his footsteps and understand he has taken up the role at KCB, it is very wrong for a professional coach like Odhiambo to do these, and we won’t take it lightly, the laws of football must be followed, and we will not leave any stone unturned until we get justice,” Shimanyula told SportsBoom.com.
“He tried the same tricks a year back and went to sign a deal in Tanzania with Biashara United, and when he was fired, he came back crying for me to help him get the job back, I gave him the job and he promised he will not do the same mistake again, but he has repeated the same mistake.”
Shimanyula continued: “Our running contract with Odhiambo comes to an end on 14th, July 2025, and in line with FIFA statutes we shall require the coach to pay the remainder of the contract with a total of Ksh1.9million. These is accumulated from salary for 12 months at Ksh1,8 and damages at Ksh 150,000.”
Shimanyula further warned Odhiambo that he will not sign for any team if he does not meet Homeboyz’ obligations of paying out the remainder of the contract. “He will not be allowed to coach anywhere, be it in the country or outside, if he doesn’t meet the above requirements, he needs to pay and then move on, but we will not accept him joining another team while he has a binding contract with us.
“We don’t care how long it will take, even if it takes the next 10 years (without a job), he will stay clubless, he has dug a hole so let him enter in it. He is playing a cat and mouse game, but the law will catch up with him, we have informed FKF of what he has done, and action will be taken against him.”
KCB Official Comments
SportsBoom.com understands Odhiambo has already joined KCB. A top KCB official, who did not want to be named, refused to comment on the matter only saying Odhiambo was one of the coaches they are engaging to take up the vacant role.
“We have not signed him yet, he has been here (our offices) twice or thrice, the talks are on-going but if we manage to agree on the finer contractual details, we will let you know,” the official told SportsBoom.com.
Odhiambo briefly served as an assistant coach at Homeboyz to Nicholas Muyoti, but was appointed full-time coach during the 2021 season before he left to handle Biashara United. He returned to join Homeboyz in the 2022/23 campaign.
It was the season when he helped Homeboyz to win their first major silverware – Mozzart Bet FKF Cup – after beating Tusker 1-0 in the final. The success earned Homeboyz and Odhiambo a chance to play in the CAF Confederation Cup.
However, Homeboyz failed to go past the first round after losing 4-1 on aggregate to Al Hilal Benghazi of Libya. Homeboyz had failed to make the home ground advantage count as they settled for a 0-0 draw in the first leg before losing the return leg 4-1 in Benghazi.
Apart from Homeboyz, Odhiambo has coached at Prisons FC, Western Stima, Muhoroni Youth, Sony Sugar, and Chemelil Sugar while he served as the assistant coach at FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia.
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.