Exclusive: Kakamega Homeboyz Turn Down Patrick Odhiambo Resignation to Join KCB

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.”

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.”

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.”