Aston Lukoye
The 1980s and 1990s will always be remembered in Kenyan football history for the brilliance of Patrick Namai, a former midfielder and defender with the Harambee Stars who gained respect and acclaim for his on-field achievements.
Football legends and fans alike will always remember his journey from playing for illustrious teams like Ministry of Works (MOTCOM) FC, Rivatex FC, and the venerable Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) FC.
Many people might not be aware of Namai’s current situation, which stands in sharp contrast to the heyday of his
These days, he makes his living by burning and selling charcoal in Eldoret, an unexpected trade.
“I was a good football player, but luck did not favour me.” Had everything gone according to plan, I may have become as famous as our very own Victor Wanyama, who once played for Tottenham Hotspurs in the English Premier League and captained the Harambee Stars. But now here I am, a destitute man making charcoal,” Namai remarked in a conversation
His once-vibrant eyes now have a subtle heaviness to them that conveys a great deal about the difficulties he confronts. His daily routine now consists of burning charcoal, which he does from 6 a.m. till the activities of the day are finished. Situated about five kilometres away from the Kapseret bypass, his desk bears witness to the many detours he has experienced
Namai’s football career began in Eldoret, where his family relocated following his father’s move to Kenya Railways. He was born in Pumwani Hospital in Nairobi. During his elementary school years at Eldoret Union and Kapsoya Primary Schools, his early love for the sport blossomed.
Namai’s path in football was predetermined by his mother, a fierce attacker in her school days, and his uncle, Elphas Omboko, a former member of the Uganda national team
The setting for Namai’s breakthrough was Kakamega High School. There, he not only improved his abilities but also made history by representing Kenya in the U13 division in Italy. When Namai was playing in the San Siro Stadium, which is home to AC Milan and Inter Milan, the illustrious Paolo Maldini noticed him and gave him a jersey in 1986.
After graduating from high school, Namai was in high demand and club buses would queue outside Kakamega High School to try to get his attention.
His path passed through MOTCOM FC, Rivatex, and finally KCC until the state-owned business failed in 1998, causing chaos for the football team it supported and stealing the aspirations of innumerable gifted players.
As he describes the crucial decision he made to prioritise sports over going to college, Namai’s remorse is evident in everything he says.
His problems were exacerbated by the fall of KCC, which left him to deal with the difficulties of life outside of football.
Even though he played for the Harambee Stars for almost ten years and had amazing form, the financial situation in football was very different during that time. Gamers were dependent on allowances and the attraction of large contracts was less common than it is now.
When Namai scored the game-winning penalty in Zambia, he became known as “Agotse,” one of his most memorable Harambee Stars moments. Under the direction of blind coach Chris Makokha, Kenyan football experienced a historic moment with the triumph.
But the celebrations of that day are no longer evident; instead, the quiet difficulties of a man who once gave the country pride have taken their place.
