Kakamega Homeboyz on rebuilding process

Kakamega Homeboyz FC Team celebrate a goal against Thika United FC during KPL Match at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, August 7, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kakamega Homeboyz have started the process of re-building their squad ahead of the new Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season.

The club has signed three new players on two year deals in a move chairman Cleophas Shimanyula hopes will help them manage a top five finish next season.

Among the players the club has signed is former Muhoroni Youth striker Wycliff Ochomo, Estone Esiye formerly of Western Stima and Wycliff Opondo from Sofapaka.

Ochomo was earlier reported to have joined Western Stima but both Shimanyula and the player confirmed he has signed a deal with Homeboyz. The Kakamega side have made Ochomo their most expensive signing so far by forking out a transfer fee of Sh750,000.

But Homeboyz will have to wait for a release letter from the KPL before they can safely claim Ochomo to be their player.

“His contract with Muhoroni Youth was terminated last year due to non-payment of salary and the matter is with the KPL. We are waiting for a way forward from them before we can conclude the transfer,” revealed Shimanyula.

Ochomo was the third highest scorer last season despite not finishing the season at Muhoroni Youth.

Regarding their ambitions next season, the Kakamega Homeboyz boss said:”Last season we finished in eighth position. This time we are eying atleast a top five finish and it is within our reach. We are also looking for a sponsor to boost our financial kitty so that we can pay our players well in order to achieve our dream."

Inspired by their impressive finish last season, Western Stima have made a number of signings hoping to do even better.

Stima finished sixth last season and even had midfielder Keneth Muguna named as the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The powermen have snapped up former national team goalkeeper Samwel Odhiambo who was at Chemelil Sugar last season.

Odhiambo brings a wealth of experience to the club considering that he has previously had stints at Tusker and Ushuru. The signing of Odhiambo is believed to be a cover-up incase goalkeeper Gabriel Andika leaves the club.

Andika is believed to be flirting with AFC Leopards who have shown interest in signing him up.

Apart from Odhiambo, Stima have also signed former Muhoroni Youth defender Wycliff Nyangachi.

Elsewhere, faced with the prospect of losing some of their key players, Mathare United have called for three day trials at Goan Institute grounds from next Monday.