Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oguta Oliech, famously known as “The Menace,” has weighed in on the future of Kenya’s national football team, proposing Francis Kimanzi as the ideal candidate for head coach. This comes in the wake of Turkish tactician Engin Firat’s resignation earlier this week, citing unpaid arrears after a three-year tenure.
Oliech praised Kimanzi’s credentials, highlighting his previous stints with the national team and his ability to scout and build competitive squads. “Kimanzi is best suited to succeed Firat. We have never had another coach take the team to the rank he did back in 2008,” Oliech remarked. “If he can work with Salim Babu, I’m confident they can scout players and build a team that will take us to the knockout stages of the 2027 AFCON.”
Oliech also advocated for Salim Babu, the current head coach of Kenya’s U17, U18, and U20 teams, to be appointed as Kimanzi’s deputy. “Babu has proven himself at various levels. Together with Kimanzi, they would be a formidable duo for the Stars.”
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF), led by its newly elected president Hussein Mohamed, is yet to announce a successor to Firat but has pledged to address the technical leadership issue swiftly. In a statement, Mohamed confirmed the federation’s commitment to resolving Firat’s arrears and ensuring a smooth transition.
“Following internal consultations with relevant stakeholders, we will announce the way forward regarding the national team’s technical leadership,” Mohamed stated.
Kimanzi, who has managed Harambee Stars during three separate periods (2008–2009, 2011–2012, and 2019–2020), remains a respected figure in Kenyan football. His potential return, coupled with Babu’s emerging talent as a coach, could mark a new chapter for the national team as they set their sights on the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
