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“He was a very good fullback. He was integral in our KPL winning campaign in 2010. I have lost a personal friend and great young player,” said Ogweno, who is now on Gor Mahia’s technical bench.
Former teammate Hussein Mohammed took to Facebook to mourn his fallen friend: “Fellow friends and family, today I got a not-so-good call that my brother and friend is among those who perished in Somalia. I am devastated.”
All his former teammates who are still serving in the military declined to go on record because of the sensitivity of the matter.
But they were all united in grieving their fallen colleague whom they described as “gentle lion of a man.”
“Very tough tackler on the pitch and dedicated officer in the military, but completely at ease with everyone. He was everyone’s man in camp,” said an officer who did not wish to be named.
Ouma is survived by his two sons, Jimmy Keith Ouma (6) and Karlan Ashley Ouma (1) and widow Rael Nekesa Wafula.
“I was contacted by his employers on Monday. I still can’t believe it, but I will have to accept God’s will,” Rael said.
The news of Ouma’s demise broke on Tuesday to the utter shock of Kenya’s football fraternity.
Ulinzi Stars chairman, Col JS Mwinyikai confirmed the sad news on the club’s website (www.ulinzistarsfc.com) saying: “Ouma was one of the KDF personnel at the El-Adde Amisom camp in Somalia when it was attacked by Al-Shabaab militia on January 15. DNA tests have confirmed he was one of the soldiers killed in the attack.”
Ulinzi Stars Officer In Charge, Major Joel Birgen said, “It has hurt us so much. He is our brother and our friend. Ulinzi Stars will participate fully in sending him home. We will support the family as well. We will start plans for his burial and the same will be communicated in due course. We will visit the family on Friday as a team led by our Chairman Col Mwinyikai,” Major Birgen said.
Ouma was until 2014 a regular starter at right back for the team. A torn meniscus at the end of a gruelling season meant he would be out for some part of last season after surgery. He made a comeback and started training, eyeing a return to competitive action.
However, early this year, his first assignment as a soldier called him to duty. He was picked up as among the group of Kenyan soldiers to travel to Somalia to help keep peace. Unfortunately, less than 10 days later, the camp was attacked and Ouma was among those killed.
He gave his service to Ulinzi Stars from 2008, ardently marauding on the right back and taking no hostages. He helped the team win the 2010 Kenyan Premier League title and the KPL Top 8 Cup the following year. In 2012, when the team finished second in the league, Ouma was named the team’s best defender.
