From the humble beginnings in gritty Jericho to the glamorous world of Chan, follows the journey of Kevin 'Chumsy' Okumu
Kenya's football scene has a new rising star, and his name is Kevin 'Chumsy' Okumu. The defender, who started playing football at the tender age of eight in Nairobi's Jericho estate, has finally realised his dream of representing the national team, Harambee Stars.
Okumu's journey to the senior national team is a testament to perseverance and gradual rise through the ranks of Kenyan football. He spent years playing for grassroots teams like SDA FC and Young Rovers FC before progressing into the FKF Premier League, featuring for Nairobi City Stars, Kariobangi Sharks, Wazito, and most recently KCB.
Despite consistently strong performances in the top tier league, a national team call-up eluded him for a long time. That changed in 2025 when Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy unexpectedly called him up for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) squad.
Okumu made his senior team debut at Kasarani Stadium against Angola, coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but for Okumu, it marked a historic and emotional milestone after a long road from humble beginnings.
As the Harambee Stars prepare for their next match against Atlas Lions of Morocco today at 3pm, Okumu's focus is on displaying a solid defense and improving counter-attacks. With Group D of the CHAN championship including Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia, a win against Morocco could result in Kenya getting all three points.
Okumu believes a solid defense and sharpening counter-attacks will be key against Morocco. He hopes to use the CHAN tournament to attract attention from scouts and secure a spot on a good team.
Okumu urges fans to attend the match to energize the players. He considers his debut as a culmination of years of hard work and a dream come true. He expresses gratitude for being given the opportunity to play for Harambee Stars.
The CHAN tournament is not just a platform for Okumu to showcase his skills, but also an opportunity for him to contribute to the team's success. With good chemistry within the squad, Okumu hopes Harambee Stars will upset their opponents in Group D and make a strong showing in the competition.
[1] - Source for Okumu's grassroots background and progression through the FKF Premier League. [2] - Source for Okumu's national team debut and his emotions surrounding the event.
sports analysts are eager to dissect Okumu's rise through Kenyan football, beginning with his humble beginnings in SDA FC and Young Rovers FC, to his success in the FKF Premier League with teams like Nairobi City Stars, Kariobangi Sharks, Wazito, and KCB.
As the CHAN tournament progresses, Okumu hopes to use this platform to attract the attention of sports-focused epaper editors, highlighting his inspiring journey and potential to improve Kenya's football scene.
