Coach Joseph Oyoo: A True Architect of Women’s Football in Kenya ‎ ‎

In the world of women’s football in Kenya, few names carry as much weight and legacy as Coach Joseph Oyoo. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Oyoo has not only mentored some of the country’s top talents but has also consistently broken barriers and written history with countless teams across the Coast and beyond.
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‎And in 2024, he has done it again — taking Mwanambeyu Girls to the regional level for the first time in the school’s history.
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‎A Coaching Journey That Began in the 90s
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‎Coach Oyoo began his coaching career in 1997 at Mombasa Railways, a side then competing in the National Super League — what is today Kenya’s Premier League. His passion for developing women’s football quickly became evident, and by the early 2000s, he was shaping the future of some of Kenya’s biggest female football stars.
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‎From 2000 to 2003, he managed Spedag FC, where he nurtured talents like Esse Akida, Terry Ouko, Ann Aluoch (currently with Mathare Ladies), and Lilian Nandundu, who later served as FKF Mombasa Chairperson.
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‎National Impact with Harambee Starlets
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‎Oyoo’s prowess didn’t go unnoticed at the national level. In 2003, while coaching Coast Girls at the regional level, he was appointed Assistant Coach of the Harambee Starlets, working under respected tacticians like Eric Owiti and Abel Nanjero.
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‎In 2012, Oyoo rose to become the Head Coach of the national team, leading Kenya’s top women’s talents in regional and international campaigns. His tactical mind and calm leadership helped sharpen a generation of Starlets players.
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‎School Successes: A Consistent Trail of Regional and National Appearances
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‎Coach Oyoo’s biggest impact arguably lies in his ability to transform ordinary school teams into football powerhouses:
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‎Kilindini High – Regionals in 2005
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‎Likoni Secondary – Regionals in 2007 & 2008
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‎St. Charles Lwanga – Regionals in 2009
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‎St. John's Kaloleni – Regionals in 2011, East Africa participation in 2012, and National and East Africa Finals in 2014
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‎Kwale Girls – National stage in 2017, and East Africa champions in 2018
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‎Mbitini/St John's – Regional and National appearances between 2022-2023
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‎And now, in 2024, Mwanambeyu Girls have become the latest beneficiaries of Oyoo’s magic touch, qualifying for the regional championships for the first time ever — a remarkable feat for a school previously unknown in girls’ football circles.
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‎Club Football Legacy: A Premier League Trailblazer
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‎Beyond schools, Oyoo’s contribution to club football is monumental. He is the founder of Mombasa Olympic Ladies, a club he guided to the Premier League in 2013 — the first promotion in their history. More recently, he returned to the helm in 2024, leading them once again to top-flight football. In between, he was part of the technical team at Thika Queens during the 2023 WKPL season.
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‎A True Pillar of Women’s Football
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‎Coach Joseph Oyoo’s legacy is not built on hype or headlines, but on results, mentorship, and lasting impact. His ability to identify, nurture, and inspire talent has left an indelible mark on Kenya’s women’s football scene — from the dusty pitches of Kilindini and Likoni to the continental stage.
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‎As Mwanambeyu Girls head to the regionals this year, they do so carrying the experience, strategy, and spirit of a coach who has done it all before — and continues to do it again and again.
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‎Coach Joseph Oyoo is not just coaching teams — he is building history.