New Football Kenya Federation Secretary General/ Chief Executive Officer Harold Ndege.
He won two Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) titles and two Cecafa Club Cups with Kenya Breweries FC (now Tusker FC).
He also earned six caps with Kenya’s national men’s football team, Harambee Stars.
However, Harold Ndege doesn’t want to be recognized solely for his achievement on the pitch.
Instead, the 44-year-old former defender hopes to leave a lasting legacy by playing a key role in the commercialization of Kenyan football.
“I want to leave behind a Kenyan football industry that is fully commercialized, where each club can generate its own revenue and players, coaches, agents, match officials, and other stakeholders can earn a decent living,” said Ndege, the newly appointed FKF General Secretary-Chief Executive Officer (CEO), in an interview with Nation Sport yesterday.
He assumed the role on Friday following the approval of his appointment by the FKF National Executive Committee, replacing Patrick Korir, who resigned earlier this month after serving in an interim capacity since October 2024.
Former Wazito CEO Dennis Gicheru, Collins Bob Otieno, and Sarah Migwi were also in contention for the position.
The FKF CEO oversees the organisation’s daily operations, with a primary focus on governance, financial management, and operational efficiency.
Although Ndege could not hide his joy over his new role, he acknowledged the challenges ahead.
Nevertheless, Ndege who possesses a Masters of Finance degree from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India and a Bachelors of Commerce degree from Karnataka University in India affirmed that he is up to the task.
Private sector
“It is not going to be an easy ride but a roller coaster one. We had foreseen the challenges but we have the solution to them under the leadership of our president Hussein Mohammed,” said Ndege who is also an alumnus of Nairobi River Primary School, Nairobi School, and Chianda High School in Siaya.
The former Kenya international, who worked in both the public and private sector, led Hussein’s secretariat for the campaign for the FKF presidency. During the 2020 FKF elections, he was the running mate for Herbert Mwachiro who vied for the president’s post.
He has been vocal about transparency and management in Kenyan football, writing several opinion pieces in the Nation over the years.
In one article last year titled “Change in Kenyan football leadership long overdue” Ndege wrote: “Suffice to say the current FKF administration has the propensity to compete for criminal supremacy. Such an environment is not conducive to the identification and nurturing of talent. It also does not attract fans and investors.”
Born and raised in Nairobi’s Kariobangi Estate, Ndege credits his football career to his cousin Zacchaeus Omondi whom he said inspired him to play for Tusker. Omondi turned out for Tusker as a striker.
Under the tutelage of coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee, the defender signed his first contract with Tusker in 1999, the same year the brewers lifted the FKF-PL title which they successfully defended in 2000.
With Mulee, Tusker won the Cecafa Club Cup in 2000 and 2001.
Ndege who hanged his boots in 2005 earned his six international caps in 2000 under Mulee.
He turned out for India’s top-flight side Vascos Sports Club in Goa during his studies in South Asian country.
“Having been a footballer both at club and national team level, I understand the football industry very well. I have the experience, expertise, and track record for the job,” said Ndege, who is married to Linda Polo.
Streamlining governance
In addition to commercialising Kenyan football, Ndege pledged to ensure full implementation of Hussein’s manifesto which includes, infrastructural development, streamlining governance within FKF, digitisation of its activities, and enhancing service delivery to stakeholders.
“I read the report (by the FKF Transition Ad Hoc Committee). What is clear is that we need to find skilled personnel to work at the federation. We need to change the value of the federation because if the employees do not get the correct cultural values then quality of service to stakeholders will be low,” said the Kenya Soccer Players Association Secretary General.
He is also a founding member of the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association.
He stated that the federation’s employees will be evaluated based on key performance indicators to maximize their productivity.
“Harold Ndege has his work cut out for him, and we are pleased to have finalized this process,” said Hussein.
“His experience in both football administration and management will be crucial in steering FKF forward.”
