FKFPL 2023/24 was a special season, says Kenya Police defender

Enjoying regular game time is all Brian Okoth had envisioned at the start of the 2023-2024 Football Kenya Federation Premier League. 

Back then, Okoth was attached to FC Talanta and all he wished was to feature in as many matches as possible in his first full season at the club. 

He realised massive success in the first leg of the said campaign to the extent that five clubs, including AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia in the top tier, expressed interest in his services. 

Okoth was on the verge of joining Kakamega Homeboyz in February but Kenya Police unleashed their financial muscle and beat the rest of the interested teams to his signature. 

The move to Police tagged along with his blessings as he earned his first Harambee Stars call-up and helped the club win the Mozzart Bet Cup. 

Okoth, who announced his arrival to the top flight in 2022 with Vihiga Bullets, looks back at the decision he made in February with the conviction that it was the best and brought his career breakthrough. 

"I never imagined I would soar to such heights in the season. At the start of it, I wanted to enjoy more playing time at Talanta but the efforts I made in the first leg brought the success I had planned for the coming years. Joining Police was the best decision," said the central defender. 

How Brian Okoth overcame odds to cement his place in Kenya Police FC

Having won the cup and subsequently qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup, Okoth hopes that the club will have a decent outing in its first continental appearance. 

Police will debut at the continental level with a clash against Ethiopian Coffee, slated for next month with the winner facing defending champions Zamalek. 

"I believe we will do well. We have a good squad that has players with continental experience," remarked the former Homa Nay Prisons defender. 

"Reward for hard work": Kenya Police defender Brian Okoth speaks after maiden Harambee Stars call up

Meanwhile, Okoth is confident of making his Harambee Stars debut in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers slated to kick off in September. 

Stars will face Zimbabwe in the opening match and will later play five-time champions Cameroon and Namibia. 

"It's unfortunate that I didn't debut when I got my first call-up. I am however determined to make it during the AFCON qualifiers," he added.