Their performance is a grim echo of broader struggles faced by clubs from the sugar belt region, a once-thriving hub of Kenyan football talent and competitive spirit.
The decline of Nzoia Sugar marks a potential end to the presence of these clubs in the top tier of Kenyan football, following the fall of historical clubs such as Mumias Sugar, Sony Sugar and Chemelil Sugar.
The saga of the sugar belt clubs in the Kenyan Premier League, which began in 1963, is woven with both triumph and tragedy.
These clubs, supported primarily by the local sugar companies, have battled through decades marked by financial instability, lack of professional management, and a reliance on single-entity sponsorship which, when withdrawn, has left clubs unable to operate sustainably.
Center referee Josephine Wanjiku issue a warning card to Steve Otieno of Nzoia Sugar during FkF Premier league match against AFC Leopards at the Nyayo National stadium on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
Clubs struggle to pay players and staff, often failing to honour matches, which further diminishes the competitiveness and appeal of the league.
Nzoia Sugar's impending relegation is not just a blow to the club's fans and players but serves as a poignant reminder of the precarious state of football in the Nyanza region and, by extension, across Kenya.
Nyanza, known for its abundant talent, may find itself without representation in the next season's FKF-PL roster, a devastating development for an area that once gave rise to Kenya's tiki-taka and produced national champions.
Former Harambee Stars international Boniface Ambani said it is time clubs should hand over the management of the team to the community around.
The former Tusker man said the companies should just come in as sponsors. Let the communities around feel the ownership of the club. Management should be run by people from the community.
"The economic crunch facing the country has always hit companies hard. Sustainable measures have never been put in place. When such companies fall under receivership, the sports department suffers most. They are deemed redundant.
"A department that doesn't bring revenues to the company. That's what goes first. Nzoia is going down, and I am not seeing it survive, unless the company restructures itself. Chemelil, Sony, Mumias, Rivatex Kecomi, KCC, Oserian ,Kenya Pipeline, Mountex, KTM all went down. They never found their way back....Nzoia is heading there. I don't know if they will survive in the NSL," said Amabani.