Bob Amalemba
September 17, 2025/ Mahiri Football Academy, a budding talent hub in Kakamega, has received a major shot in the arm after being awarded a Level Three Academy License by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), under the auspices of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.
The license, signed by FKF CEO Patrick Korir, certifies that Mahiri has met the requirements to operate as a “formal football academy, in line with international standards”. For an academy barely a few years old, this recognition signals not just growth but also credibility in nurturing young players.
Benbella Oyalo, one of the notable heads of the academy, has been at the forefront of shaping its vision. Training at Kakamega Township Primary, Oyalo insists that Mahiri is more than just a conveyor belt of football talent. “Beyond talent, we are keen on the academic molding of our players. A key criteria for recruitment is good performance at school and discipline,” he said in a previous interview.
That approach is already bearing fruit. The academy has supplied players to powerhouse institutions such as Madira Girls, Butere Girls, Shanderema Boys, Butere Boys, Musingu, and Kakamega High. These schools are famed for their dominance in national and international school games, and Mahiri’s young stars have seamlessly slotted into their systems.
Kakamega is no stranger to football glory. From the famed Green Commandos of Kakamega High School to Butere Girls’ Red Commandos dominance in girls’ football, the county has long been a hotbed of talent. Mahiri’s entry into the ranks of licensed academies positions it as a direct pipeline for future stars to schools, county leagues, and even the national stage.
The new license now cements Mahiri’s place in Kenya’s football development ecosystem, guaranteeing that its players will receive structured coaching under certified trainers and increasing opportunities for them to be scouted by clubs and schools nationwide.
“This recognition is a big win not just for Mahiri but for Kakamega football. It means our boys and girls will be groomed under global standards, and their pathways to bigger opportunities are clearer,” said a fan of the club in a social media post celebrating the achievement.
As Kakamega cements its reputation as the beating heart of Kenyan football, Mahiri Football Academy’s rise is fueling fresh hope for a new generation of disciplined and intelligent players in the mould of Dr. JJ Masiga, Josephat Murila (AFC Leopards), and Dr. Dan Obwaka (Gor Mahia). With FIFA, CAF, and FKF backing its structures, the academy has grown beyond a local training ground—it now stands as a true launching pad for dreams. Obwoka (Gor). With FIFA, CAF, and FKF backing its systems, the Township Primary School based academy is no longer just a local training ground—it is a launching pad for dreams.
An academy of great talents
Mahiri to the world.