KPL transfer window closes

By Gilbert Wandera

The Kenyan Premier League transfer window closed on Saturday night with a record 80 players moving clubs during the one month period.

Struggling Rangers and bottom of the table Oserian were the busiest in the transfer market signing a record 31 players between themselves even as they let go of some key players.

Rangers have signed 15 players while the Naivasha side have got the signatures of 16.

Rangers has particularly given some players who were thought to have retired a new lease of life as they make a come-back to the top league.

Former Gor Mahia and international defender Julius Owino is back after signing for Rangers together with another former Gor veteran Zablon ‘Pro’ Otieno.

The two players were part of Gor’s technical bench before the same was disbanded early this year for poor performance.

Cameroonian Baldwin Ngwa has also joined Rangers from Gor together with former team mate Tony Onyango.

Apart from the four veteran players, the rest of the signings for Rangers are players from either the Division One or provincial sides and some of them include Tyrone Owino (Kakakuona), Edwin Ombesa (KRA), Kataka Omusula (Dandora United) and Eric Muranda (Donholm).

Players return

The just ended transfer window has also seen some players return to their former clubs.

Former Thika United midfielder Hadji Mwachoki who has returned to the Thika side after struggling at Chemelil Sugar.

Mwachoki joined Gor after leaving Thika United two years ago but failed to hold a place in the team.

Apart from Mwachoki, Thika have also signed Wycliffe Opondo formerly at Chemelil Sugar.

Another player who has returned to his former club is veteran striker Francis Chinjili who has rejoined Western Stima after being dropped by AFC Leopards.

Chinjili failed to get a starting position at Leopards and he is returning to a club where he did well just two years ago.

Simon Mburu has returned to Mathare United after a disappointing time at Sofapaka.

Welcome elsewhere

Rejuvenated Nairobi City Stars have also got some big names after landing the signatures of Ibrahim Kitawi and Duncun Owiti who were rejected at Gor Mahia.

Other players rejected by Gor have been welcome elsewhere and they include: Duncun Makori (KCB), Peter Juma (Karuturi), Collins Okoth, and Demonde  Selenga (Sofapaka).

Rangers lost the services of goal scorer Edwin Mwaura who has joined KCB. Other signings: Sony: Wycliffe Otieno (Kariobangi Sharks), Victor Osome, Alfred Onyango (Stima),James Orundu (Rangers),Godfrey Simiyu (Muhoroni).

Oserian: Aden Hassan (Stima) John Wau (Chemelil), Wellingtone Murwayi (Chemelil), Humphrey Oyando (Mahakama), James Macharia (Tusker) and Joseph Okumu (AFC Leopards).

Chemelil: Andrew Esau (Bidco), Damiel Onyango (Rush) and Gradud Ochieng (Muhoroni).

Muhoroni: Harry Gentle, Abbey Natty (Ligi Ndogo), Bernard Ouma (Admiral), Mohammed Yussuf (Magongo) and Fred Okello (Western Stima).

Mathare United: Joseph Waithera (Nairobi Stima), Paul Kamau and Jonathan Mweu (Mathare Youth).