Kenya’s one hit wonders: Kiongera, Kitawi and Imbalambala are among players who shone for short time

KCB striker Paul kiongera during their KPL match against Western Stima at Nyayo stadium on 29-03-2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

They came, conquered and simply disappeared in a flash.

That is the story of some former Kenyan Premier League (KPL) players who shown briefly and then faded away.

Paul Kiongera was hardly a household name when he played for the now promoted Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side KCB in the 2012 season.

Kiongera had great success with the bankers scoring an impressive 18 goals in 32 matches.

That performance is what threw Kiongera into the limelight and soon KPL champions Gor Mahia came calling.

At Gor Mahia where he had a one-year contract, among his achievements was winning the KPL title where he scored seven goals. At the end of the 2013 season, Kiongera received an offer to go to Germany but a nagging injury cut short his plans and that looked like the beginning of the end of his career.

Kiongera was forced to go back to KCB after recovering from injury after failing to get playing time at Gor Mahia. He had a great performance with the bankers and received new suitors when Tanzanian giants Simba Sports Club came calling.

He again picked injury in Tanzania and came back to KCB after recovering. From KCB, Kiongera joined AFC Leopards for one season but disappeared soon after that. At Leopards, he was hardly the player most defenders dreaded.

Ibrahim Kitawi played a key role in bringing the golden years at Gor Mahia between 2009 and 2014. He was among youthful players who had been scouted by the late Kenyan legend James Sian'ga.

When he joined Kariobangi Sharks in 2015 he continued to do well and even helped the team to qualify to the KPL by scoring 14 goals a year later.

He however seemed to fall out of favour at Kariobangi Sharks and was forced to leave in 2017 for Bandari but fell out of favour after that.

But nothing beats the fall from grace by Martin Imbalambala who in heydays was a darling of AFC Leopards fans.

The defender was a joy to watch rising to be the captain of Leopards and even got a call-up to the national team Harambee Stars.

AFC Leopards captain Martin Imbalambala

He soon fell out following reports of indiscipline and he left to join Kakamega Homeboyz but did not last long leaving unceremoniously.

But there are also players who have managed to keep their presence at the top despite having been on the scene for too long.

Tusker goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng is one such player. Ochieng has been active for close to 20 years having collected several titles with different clubs and is showing no signs of quitting anytime soon.

Tusker goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng during their KPL league match against Mathare United at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday 04/10/14.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

His secret: “It is all about hard work and discipline as well as respecting what you do.”

Ochieng said many players who have fallen by the wayside when they let their performance while at the peak get into their heads. “They assume they have reached and make no effort to maintain it,” he said.

Sofapaka coach John Barasa and former Harambee Stars international Mark Sirengo also had  long playing careers.