No One is Safe: Inside the Tense KCB Dressing Room as Matano Begins His Ruthless Purge

Nairobi, Kenya – July 5, 2025 – A tension, thick with the scent of fresh-cut grass and uncertainty, hangs over the KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka . The reason is a man, a presence, a force of nature in Kenyan football: Robert “The Lion” Matano. Since his much-publicized arrival at the den of the Bankers, the veteran coach has wasted no time stamping his authority, and the tremors of his approach are already being felt throughout the squad. With the 2024/25 season now a memory, a high-stakes offseason of sweeping changes is underway, and for many of KCB’s familiar faces, the future is anything but secure.

The most successful Kenyan Premier League tactician, known for his unyielding demand for discipline and a ferocious winning mentality, has reportedly cast a critical eye on his new charges. Whispers from the training ground suggest that The Lion is unimpressed with the ninth-place finish of the previous season and is ready to wield the axe. The contracts of approximately 13 players are believed to be up for review or have expired this summer, creating a perfect storm for a Matano-led revolution.

The list of those under the microscope reads like a who's who of the KCB dressing room, a blend of seasoned defenders, industrious midfielders, and once-promising talents. Defensive mainstays like Nashon Alembi Nanyendo, who joined from Bidco United in 2024, and his namesake Nashon Wekesa, now find their futures hanging in the balance. Wekesa, who recently expressed public confidence in the new gaffer, will be hoping his faith is rewarded with a new deal. Joining them in this nervous wait is former Bidco United defender Francis Odour.

The midfield, often the engine room of any successful team, is also set for a potential overhaul. The contracts of hard-tackling Michael Mutinda, a former international, and the creative duo of Joshua Nyatini and Vincent Ondabu are all subjects of speculation. For Ondabu, who fought his way into the KCB setup from the university leagues, the coming weeks will be a true test of his professional journey.

The attacking prowess of the Bankers is also set to be re-evaluated. The futures of Kevin Okumu, Danson Namasaka Chetambe, who arrived from Bandari FC with high hopes in 2022, and Danson Kiprono are all on the line. Winger Derrick Otieno is another name on the list of those whose continued stay at the club is not guaranteed.

Perhaps the most poignant of these stories are those of winger Kevin ‘Daddy’ Owino and the resilient Victor Omondi. Owino, a high-profile transfer from the now-defunct Wazito FC, has seen his star flicker at KCB, and with his contract reportedly expiring, time may be running out. Omondi, on the other hand, has waged a personal war to return to fitness after a devastating ACL injury that sidelined him for over seven months. His comeback is a testament to his character, but in the cutthroat world of football, sentimentality rarely pays the bills.

Even the goalkeeping department is not immune to the winds of change. Brian Opiyo Olango, the former Kariobangi Sharks and Mathare United man, now faces a professional crossroads. His resilience in the face of such adversity is commendable, but Matano is known for making tough, unsentimental decisions in his quest for glory.

While no official list of departures or new signings has been released, Matano’s history at clubs like Tusker FC and Sofapaka speaks for itself. He is a builder of dynasties, a coach who identifies the players who fit his philosophy and ruthlessly discards those who do not. The current recruitment drive at KCB is expected to be as aggressive as it is decisive, with The Lion juggling the pursuit of fresh, hungry talent with the tough calls on which of the current pride will be cast out.

The Lion has been let loose at the Bankers, and as the dust settles on this sweeping offseason purge, a new-look KCB, forged in the fires of Matano’s ambition, is set to emerge. No one is safe.