Kakamega Senator Bonny Kwalwale has thrown himself into the heated world of Kenyan football, declaring that he is the right man to help fix the long-struggling AFC Leopards.
Speaking passionately as an avid football supporter, the senator lamented the club’s decline, blaming it largely on the lack of support from Kakamega County.
“When we drafted the new constitution, we placed amateur sports under the counties. Look at the four Luo counties; their governors support Gor Mahia. Shabana FC, which recently defeated AFC Leopards, is backed by Governors Simba Arati (Kisii) and Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira). But here in Kakamega, funds that should have gone to AFC Leopards were handed over to Toto to invest in Kakamega Homeboyz,” the senator said.
Cleophas Shimanyula alias Toto is a businessman and the founder and chairman of Kakamega Homeboyz football club, one of the teams playing in the Kenya Premier League (KPL).
Laying out his vision, the senator emphasised that what AFC Leopards needs is not short-term fixes but a solid, long-term plan. “You can’t revive Leopards through one-off events. Without a clear strategy, we are going nowhere. There was nothingwrong with the outgoing chairman, but without a plan, what could he have done? That’s why I’m asking whoever takes over the chairmanship to listen to me: I have a plan.”
He dismissed gestures like organizing small tournaments, donating bread, sodas, or even handing over Sh100,000 or Sh1 million, calling them mere events, not solutions.
“I am going to fix Leopards and return it to the top. I will tap into the immense talent in our footballing secondary schools; Kakamega High School, Musinga School, Shianda High School, and others. Using government funds, I will support these young players, pay their school fees, and ensure they develop properly to eventually play for AFC Leopards,” he said.
The club, which has been without a major trophy for years, has been plagued by internal wrangles and disappointing performances on the pitch. As the June 29 Annual General Meeting (AGM) approaches, five contenders have already thrown their hats in the ring for the club’s chairmanship, all hoping to steer the once-great club back to winning ways.