While many might argue that other sports rival football’s popularity across the globe, it is undoubtedly the most popular sport in every African country. In addition to it being the favorite pass time of most sports enthusiasts, it has also become a way out of poverty for many kids on the continent. There are a number of Kenyan football players who have football to thank for the riches they have attained. Some among them have gone ahead to sign life-transforming contracts and amass huge fortunes that rival that of their counterparts from across the globe. Here is a look at those that currently top the richest football players in Kenya list.
The Net Worths of the Richest Football Players In Kenya
1. Victor Wayama
- Net Worth: $9 Million (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: $4 Million (Estimated)
- Age: 32
- Club: CF Montréal
- Playing Position: Defensive Midfielder
- Previous Teams: Beerschot, Celtic, Southampton, and Tottenham Hotspur
- Active Since: 2007
- No. of International Caps: 60
- Trophies/Honours Won: 7
Victor Wanyama, who plays as a defensive midfielder and serves as the captain of the Kenyan national team, ranks as the most popular and richest football player in Kenya. His journey to fame is a typical story of grass to grace as the young man started off playing on the streets of Nairobi with several amateur teams before he made his debut on the Kenyan national team in May 2007 as a 15-year-old. He would eventually go on to play for several clubs in notable leagues overseas before featuring in the highest-paying football league in the world, the English Premier League. He notably played for Southampton (2013-2016) and Tottenham Hotspur (2016-2020) before moving to the MLS to play for CF Montréal.
Investments
With a staggering net worth of about $9 million, it is expected that Kenya’s richest player should have several investments. Well, that is obviously the case as Victor Wanyama has revealed that he owns a good number of investments both in Kenya and overseas. He has, however, not divulged the details of the various investments he has. Nonetheless, it has been gathered that he owns a couple of houses in Kenya as well as London.
2. Micheal Olunga
- Net Worth: $3.6 million (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: $747,000 (Estimated)
- Age: 29
- Club: Al-Duhail
- Playing Position: Forward
- Previous Teams: Thika United, Gor Mahia, Djurgårdens, Guizhou Zhicheng, Girona, Kashiwa Reysol
- Active Since: 2012
- No. of International Caps: 40
- Trophies/Honours Won: 5
Michael Olunga is notable as ‘The hat-trick hero’ as he was the first Kenyan footballer to score a hat-trick in the Spanish League – La Liga (2018). This football star actually had a good start when it comes to his career as he began honing his skills as a high schooler playing for Liberty Sports Academy. He would go on to play for the academy at the Nairobi County League and then the Nairobi Provincial League. He also played for a couple of other Kenyan teams as well as the national team before moving overseas to play for clubs like Djurgården, Guizhou Zhicheng, Girona, Kashiwa Reysol, and Al-Duhail which is his current team. His performances since his debut with international clubs in 2016 have been quite impressive and he has made a name for himself as a hat-trick star as he has scored up to 3 remarkable hat-tricks so far.
Investments
Olunga, who is estimated to take home more than $700,000 yearly, has definitely been putting his money to good use. He is among the bandwagon of Kenyan footballers who believe in investments and as such, he reportedly owns a shoe shop in Nairobi and has doled out millions of Kenyan shillings to acquire several houses.
3. Patrick Osiako
- Net Worth: $1 – $9 million (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: $45,000 (Estimated)
- Age: 37
- Club: Syrianska Eskilstuna IF
- Playing Position: Midfielder
- Previous Teams: Coast Stars, Tusker, Mjällby AIF, Petrolul Ploieşti, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Simurq, FC Linköping City, IFK Haninge, IFK Hässleholm
- Active Since: 2003
- No. of International Caps: 6
- Trophies/Honours Won: N/A
Patrick Osiako is a Kenyan football player who plays as a midfielder. He started his career as a teenager playing for the Coast Stars in 2003. He would, later on, switch to Tuskers sometime in 2005. That same year, he landed the golden opportunity to play for the Kenyan national team and was featured in a match against Bostwana for the 2006 Nation/World Cup qualifier.
In the years that followed, the midfielder got signed by foreign clubs and so far he has played for a total of 8, including Syrianska Eskilstuna IF that signed him in 2020. Osiako has made over 200 appearances since he commenced his career and the goals he has scored so far are 17.
4. Jamal Mohamed
- Net Worth: $1 – $5 million (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: $32,000 (Estimated)
- Age: 39
- Club: Al-Nasr
- Playing Position: Midfielder
- Previous Teams: Pumwani United, Coffee Board Kenya, Mathare United, Liberty Professionals, Enköpings, Kazma, Târgu Mureş, Mathare United, Dhofar
- Active Since: 1998
- No. of International Caps: 32
- Trophies/Honours Won: 2
Jamal Mohamed is not just one of the richest football players in Kenya but also one of the most skilled midfielders in the history of Kenyan football. The talented young man who started to build his career back in the 90s caught the attention of international clubs with his playing skills. This eventually got him signed at the early stage of his career by Swedish club Enköpings after which he moved on to play for several teams in the Middle East and Europe.
As of now, Jamal Malo, as the Kenyan midfielder is fondly called, plays for Al-Nasr, a club that has signed him twice. His first stint with the team was a one-year contract that lasted from 2012 to 2013. His second contract with the club lasted longer than the first as he has been with them since 2015. More so, Jamal has been quite active with the Kenyan national team since he made his debut appearance in 2008 and also scored his first goal that year in a match against Namibia. His second goal for the national team was recorded during the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Angola.
Investments
As one of the highest-paid football players in Kenya, Jamal Malo earns more than $32,000 as his salary and with his earnings, it is speculated that he must have invested some for the future. However, several incidents in the past have made many really wonder whether Jamal will actually maintain his state of riches when his football career wraps up as he has been in the news for several unpleasant things that have depleted his wealth.
5. Arnold Origi
- Net Worth: $1 – $5 million (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: $27,000 (Estimated)
- Age: 40
- Club: HIFK
- Playing Position: Goalkeeper
- Previous Teams: Mathare United, Tusker, Moss, Fredrikstad (loan), Ull/Kisa, Lillestrøm, Sandnes Ulf, Kongsvinger
- Active Since: 2001
- No. of International Caps: 33
- Trophies/Honours Won: N/A
Arnold Origi plays as a goalkeeper and is a notable shot-stopper who has established himself in his field and is highly celebrated and admired in his home country of Kenya a well as around the world. The skilled goalkeeper has been plying his trade since early 2001 and he was initially playing for Kenyan clubs like Mathare United and Tusker before moving on to play for foreign teams, primarily in Europe (Norway and Finland).
Origi has recorded more than 150 appearances in his senior career. For the national team, he has made 33 appearances so far. His popularity and skill of catching shots have earned him the millions he enjoys as his net worth and as of now, he earns about $27,000 from HIFK. This is quite a remarkable feat Arnold Origi has been able to pull off but he is actually not the only skilled player in his family as his cousin, Belgium forward Divock Origi, is equally a fantastic player and has recorded more than 200 appearances in his career so far.
6. David Ochieng
- Net Worth: $1 – $5 million (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: $20,000 (Estimated)
- Age: 31
- Club: N/A
- Playing Position: Defender
- Previous Teams: Nairobi Stima, Tusker, Al-Taawon, New York Cosmos, Brommapojkarna, AFC Leopards, Al-Ansar
- Active Since: 2011
- No. of International Caps: N/A
- Trophies/Honours Won: N/A
David Ochieng is a Kenyan footballer who started off his career back in 2011 in Nairobi. As a young player, his career beginnings were with Nairobi Stima and Tusker before he moved to play for Al-Taawon in the Saudi-Arabian league. He would then get signed by American club, New York Cosmos, but his stay with them was short-lived, from 2017 to 2018. Ochieng later had to play briefly for several other clubs in Sweden, the Middle East, and his home country, Kenya.
More so, the defender has been quite active on the Kenyan national team making up to 33 appearances for the Harambee Stars and recording 2 goals for the team. All these endeavors have greatly contributed to David Ochieng earning millions of Ksh for himself and being listed among the richest players in Kenya.
7. Ayub Timbe Masika
- Net Worth: $605,000 (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: N/A
- Age: 31
- Club: Vissel Kobe
- Playing Position: Winger, Stricker
- Previous Teams: Genk, Lierse, Lierse, Beijing Renhe, Heilongjiang Lava Spring, Reading
- Active Since: 2004
- No. of International Caps: 24
- Trophies/Honours Won: 1 (Belgian Cup: 2012–13)
Ayub Timbe Masika is a Kenyan footballer who is currently at Vissel Kobe and he happens to be among the richest players in Kenya presently. This football star plays in the positions of Winger or Stricker and his exemplary skills coupled with the fact that has scored several goals during the course of his career has earned him a lot of popularity with clubs abroad. More so, he has featured in 24 matches for the Kenyan national team and scored a total of 4 goals for the team.
Investment
As a result of his wealth, Masika lives a very comfortable life and has some cool rides in his garage. It is also speculated that he has a couple of homes across the world as he had taken to his social media account to announce getting a new home upon his transfer to Reading in 2020.
8. Teddy Akumu
- Net Worth: $300,000 (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: $13,000 (Estimated)
- Age: 31
- Club: Kaizer Chiefs
- Playing Position: Midfielder
- Previous Teams: Gor Mahia, Al Khartoum, ZESCO United
- Active Since: 2010
- No. of International Caps: 44
- Trophies/Honours Won: N/A
Anthony Akumu Agai, popularly known by his nickname Teddy Akumu, a name he earned during his early days of playing street football as many believed he played like the former Manchester United star, Teddy Sheringham. Akumu would later go on to play for several local teams in junior leagues and had even gone to Norway with the Mathare Youth Sports Association U-12 team in 2004.
When he completed his high school education, the young football player joined the Kenyan football club Gor Mahia in 2009/2010. Teddy stayed with the club for 4 years before moving to play for the Sudanese club AlKhartoum in 2014. More so, the brilliant player was signed by ZESCO United in 2016 and he played for the Zambian club up until 2020 when he moved to South Africa to play for Kaizer Chiefs.
The Kenyan professional footballer has also been very active with his country’s national team. He has made up to 38 appearances for them since he was called to upon in 2011. However, Teddy Akumu is yet to score any goals for the team.
9. Ishmael Athuman
- Age: 28
- Club: Las Palmas
- Playing Position: Center Back
- Clubs Played For: Las Palmas C, Las Palmas B, Cacereño, Granada, Fuenlabrada, Las Palmas B, Las Palmas B
- Active Since: 2011
- No. of International Caps: 7
- Trophies/Honours Won: N/A
Ismael Athuman was born in Spain but he is actually of Kenyan origin; his father is Kenyan while his mother is Spanish. He began his football career in Spain and had trials with teams like Manchester City but was unsuccessful. He has since played for several clubs on the Iberian Peninsula. More so, his outstanding performances in the various tiers of the Spanish league has earned him a lot of popularity in his home country and he was eventually called upon by the Kenyan national team to play in the 2017 African Cup of Nations. Since then, Ismael has appeared in a total of 11 matches for his home country although he is yet to score any goal for them.
The center back is currently playing for Las Palmas and he got the promotion to play on the team after his remarkable performance with Las Palmas B in the 2020 season. More so, his weekly wage is estimated to be more than $700 and he has a net worth of about $120,000.
10. Kevin Kimani
- Net Worth: $61,000 (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: N/A
- Age: 34
- Club: Wazito
- Playing Position: Midfielder
- Previous Teams: Kenya Commercial Bank, Mathare United, Bocholter, Fostiras, Tusker, Jomo Cosmos, AFC Leopards, Al-Hazem, Sofapaka, Mathare United
- Active Since: 2008
- No. of International Caps: 21
- Trophies Won/Honours: 1 (KPL Top 8 Cup: 2014)
Kenyan professional footballer Kevin Kimani is known to have started his career back in 2008 when he played for Kenya Commercial Bank. He then moved on to Mathare United in 2010 and stayed with the team until 2012 when he left Kenya to join the Belgian club, Bocholter. More so, he has also played in the Greek Football League with the club, Fostiras but left after making only 9 appearances for them.
Over the years, the player would go on to play for several other clubs both in his home country and foreign countries. His recent contract is with the Nairobi-based football club, Wazito which he joined in August 2020.
Kimani has also maintained his spot on the national team since his debut on the team in 2011. That year, he was named Kenyan Player of the Year. So far, he has made up to 21 appearances for the Harambee stars and he is still listed as part of the team.
Notable Mentions List of Recently Retired and About to Retire Kenyan Football Players
Like most sports, the age factor is a major determinant of how long one thrives in one’s career. In football, players usually retire anytime from their mid-30s to 40s. As a result, there are a few players who would have naturally made the richest football players in Kenya list if not for retirement. Below is a quick list.
1. MacDonald Mariga
- Net Worth: $1- $9 million (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: N/A
- Age: 36
- Club: Retired (2019)
- Playing Position: Defensive Midfielder
- Pevious Teams: Tusker, Kenya Pipeline, Enköpings SK, Helsingborgs IF, Parma, Internazionale, Real Sociedad, Parma, Parma, Latina, Real Oviedo, Cuneo Calcio
- Active Since: 2003 – 2019
- No. of International Caps: 40
- Trophies/Honours Won: 6 (2009/10 Champions League; 2009/10 Serie A; 2011 FIFA Club World Cup; 2009/10 and 2010/11 Italian Cup; 2010/11 Italian Super Cup)
MacDonald Mariga retired from playing professional football in 2019 but prior to that, he had played for the Kenyan national team as well as several other football clubs as a defensive midfielder. After quitting football, he joined politics as he was seen contesting for a seat in the Kiber Parliamentary Elections the same year he retired.
However, the former player still ranks as one of the richest players in Kenya as he earned up to $1.3 million annually during his active years as a player. He also recorded a remarkable feat in 2010 as he was the first Kenyan player to play in the UEFA Champions League – his club as at then was Internazionale (Inter Milan) who went on to win the trophy.
MacDonald Mariga is also celebrated for his goal-scoring skills. He recorded more than 10 goals for the clubs he played for and 5 goals for the Kenyan national team.
2. Dennis Oliech
- Net Worth: $1 Million – $5 Million (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: N/A
- Age: 38
- Club: Retired (2019)
- Playing Position: Stricker
- Previous Teams: Al-Arabi, Nantes, Auxerre, Ajaccio, Dubai CSC, Gor Mahia
- Active Since: 2003 -2019
- No. of International Caps: 26
- Trophies/Honours Won: 1 (CECAFA Cup: 2002)
Dennis Oguta Oliech is a notable Kenyan former footballer who had played in the position of striker for the national team and the clubs he featured for both in Kenya and internationally. For the national team, Oliech made a remarkable record by scoring up to 34 goals before his retirement from the team in 2016. More so, he had very impressive goal statistics for the clubs he would later represent as he scored more than 50 goals.
Apart from football, the Kenyan football legend also amassed a good chunk of his estimated net worth from endorsement deals and several businesses he operates all over the country. More so, it is believed that upon retirement, Dennis might concentrate on growing his business ventures although that has proven to be very challenging as revealed by the player.
3. Lawrence Olum
- Net Worth: $400,000 (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: $70,000 (Estimated)
- Age: 39
- Club: Miami FC
- Playing Position: Defender, Midfielder
- Previous Teams: Louis Lions, Portland Timbers, Minnesota Thunder, Austin Aztex, Orlando City, Sporting Kansas City, Kedah FA, Sporting Kansas City, Portland Timbers, Minnesota United
- Active Since: 2003
- No. of International Caps: 4
- Trophies/Honours Won: N/A
Lawrence Olum is a popular Kenyan professional footballer that has shown remarkable skills to play both as a central defender and a midfielder. He has played for various teams in the United States since his days at Missouri University back in 2003. However, that was not when Olum began to hone his football skills as the young man who was raised in Nairobi, Kenya, actually played football with his friends on the streets where he was discovered.
Olum only got to feature in 4 matches for his home country between 2014 and 2015. His international debut came in a 1–0 victory over Comoros in May 2014. On the club side, Olum recently got signed by the United States club, Miami FC. Prior to that, he had played for Minnesota United where he earned up to $70,250 as his salary.
Other Ventures
Olum runs a foundation called the Lawrence Olum Foundation through which he seeks to promote sports and education in his home country.
4. Allan Wanga
- Net Worth: $121,000 (Estimated)
- Salary/Contract: N/A
- Age: 38
- Club: Kakamega Homeboyz
- Playing Position: Stricker
- Previous Teams: Lolwe, Tusker, Petro Atlético, FK Baku, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, A.F.C. Leopards (loan), A.F.C. Leopards, Al-Merreikh, Azam, Tusker
- Active Since: 2005
- No. of International Caps: 24
- Trophies/Honours Won: N/A
Allan Wanga is a Kenyan football player who started playing the game he loves at a very young age. He, however, officially kick-started his professional career when he joined Lolwe FC during his high school years. He would then go on to play for the popular Kenyan club, Tusker, before leaving his country to play for foreign clubs. His current wealth is credited to his outstanding playing skills as he is popular as one of the remarkable Kenyan players of recent times.
Wanga had also showcased his football skills playing for the national team. He made his debut for Harambee Stars on 27 May 2007 and announced his retirement on 08 July 2019.