It is an open secret! Only Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia counties have for more than 60 years supplied the country with outstanding soccer players that have excelled at international level. The supplies channel shows no sign of shutting down.

As a matter of fact, about 80 per cent players in the current national team Harambee Stars taking part in African Nations Championship (CHAN) hail from western Kenya, went to school in the region known as the cradle of Kenya’s team sports or began their football careers at clubs with deep roots in western Kenya like AFC Leopards SC, Nzoia FC, Kakamega Homeboyz FC or Vihiga United.

For forward Boniface Muchiri, who has been outstanding for Kenya, he cut his teeth at Nzoia FC, which scouted him while still a student at St Mary’s Kibabii High in Bungoma.

Naturally, his mother Mildred Nambanga Akinyi is elated by her son’s accomplishments on and off the pitch. The son credits her for his feat in sports.

Now, the quiet village of Aleles in Amagoro location, Teso North Sub-County, has turned into football carnival fuelled by the team’s outstanding performance in CHAN is co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The villagers believe Harambee Stars will go all the way and win the diadem. Apparently, the village has not had enough of Muchiri and want to watch him more.

At the centre of interest a son born and brought up in Busia, one of the five counties in western Kenya that have contributed directly and indirectly more than 90 per cent of current Kenyan team that has shocked Africa’s football powerhouses like Morocco, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola and Zambia.

The 29 year-old national team vice-captain is now a motivation for many budding footballers – girls and boys alike – to take sports seriously, which was for long regarded as a fall-back for academically daft people. His passion, dedication and fighting spirit has been evident on the pitch and the dressing room, team-mates say.

Muchiri’s mother, Mildred Nambanga Akinyi, opened up on her son’s drive and interest in football after Kenya tossed aside Zambia 1-0 on Friday.

Nambanga said the national team forward developed the passion for the sport when he was still a toddler, noting that he had a winning mentality right from the off, which is now motivating people in Teso North, Busia County, to keenly follow the CHAN tournament on television from the comfort of their houses or at social joints.

Nambanga says the passion and determination of her son in both sports and academics is bearing fruit. Her son obtained grade C+ in high school final examinations.

After Kibabii High School in Bungoma, western, Muchiri joined western Kenya premier league giants Nzoia Sugar FC for a six-month spell after which he was released to join Rongo University in Nyanza, where during his first semester, he joined Sony Sugar FC and while in second year at Rongo University, he moved to Tusker FC, then under head coach Robert Matano.

“During the Covid-19 period, Muchiri went for trials in USA, where he had an unsuccessful stint at La Force FC, playing in the third tier league (Nisa).

After sustaining a career-threatening injury, the diminutive midfielder returned home and joined the military outfit Ulinzi Stars. Ever since, Muchiru has never looked back. He went on to register impressive performances that saw him become the club’s top scorer in three consecutive seasons.

Mildred said her son dropped out of university after security a chance to join the Kenya Defence Force (KDF), where h still serves as a soldier. To him, KDF offered him a chance to build his football career and observed that he can still re-enrol for university studies when he up boots.

Mildred said her son first played for Harambee Stars while at Tusker FC, when he travelled with the national team to Spain, and while with Ulinzi, he travelled with the national team to Morocco for African Military Games.

“News of my son’s call up to Harambee Stars’ provisional squad for the African Nations Championships (CHAN) was relayed while he was at home. This was after our prayers for his inclusion in the final national team squad,” the mother revealed.

Mildred adds, “Watching my son play football on television is a harrowing experience, especially when he falls down. I would stop watching because for the fear of the unknown. I always pray for him. “My son has a winning spirit and never likes to lose a match, with the latest victory being the Sunday all-out fight against the Zambian national team, which Kenya won 1-0.

Muchiri’s defence-splitting weighted low pass to Bryan Ogam was all Harambee Stars needed to dispatch gritty Zambia.

Nambanga says, “My son has assured me he will play the knockout phase of the CHAN tournament like never before. I thank President William Ruto for the cash motivation to players. I will also give my son a gift should they win the CHAN trophy.”

Nambanga’s neighbour, Caroline Opondo said he spotted Muchiri’s hungry for football when he was young. Opondo expressed happiness that he is now doing duty for Harambee Stars.

“He has reached this far because of sacrifice, controlling weight and daily training. I appeal to parents to allow their children to exploit their talents by encouraging them to play football,” she said, praying for Kenya to win the overall CHAN trophy.

On his part, David Livingston Imai observes that the current Harambee Stars squad is the best ever with Muchiri playing a central role upfront to justify his inclusion in Harambee Stars. In his assessment, coach McCarthy’s selection criteria is second to none.

Bonface Muchiri was born and raised in Busia, where he attended local primary school before joining St Mary’s Kibabii High School where his talent began to blossom. He has played for several KPL teams including Nzoia, Sony Sugar, Tusker FC and currently Ulinzi Stars.

“I am glad and I want to dedicate all this to my loving mother Mildred Nambanga Akinyi who has been the rock of the family, equally raising my brother Alvin Emerikwa (a soccer player at Thunderbirds in Nanyuki).

“My soccer journey took off as a result of the great effort put in by the school principal at St Mary’s Kibabii Boys High School, Mr Peter Lunani. The man guided me to my first ever soccer contract at Nzoia FC, when I was a form three student.

“May I also take this opportunity to thank my coach, Benni McCarthy, and all the players of Harambee Stars for the massive encouragement and support on and off the pitch,” Muchiri said.

Private Muchiri, as he is referred to in the KDF ranks, enjoys reading Holy Bible and listening to Catholic songs when not playing or watching soccer.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Absalom Namwalo