From football glory to charcoal fires: The unfortunate story of former Harambee Stars defender Patrick Namai

Football legends and fans in the 1980s and 1990s are familiar with Patrick Namai, a former Harambee Stars defender and midfielder whose prowess on the field earned him recognition and admiration. He played for the Ministry of Works (MOTCOM) FC, then Rivatex FC before joining Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) FC.

The state-owned KCC collapsed in 1998, and the decorated football firm it sponsored stumbled into misery, killing with it hundreds of talents.

Today, Namai burns and hawks charcoal in Eldoret to make ends meet. What is left of his rich football history is the pictures in his vintage album.

It is still mid-morning in Lavington, Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County. The air, once chilly, is still awakening with a newfound warmth as if the sun's gentle caress breathed life into every atom. The world seems to come alive with the symphony of bird songs filling the air.

56-year-old Namai receives us with a warm smile and leads us to his workstation, barely five kilometers from the Kapseret bypass. Today was a longer day for him as he was at his workstation by 6 am, keen to finish his job on time and attend a neighbor's Harambee (fund-raising ceremony).

From a close analysis, Namai's weathered face tells a tale of resilience. His eyes, once vibrant now carry a subtle heaviness that speaks volumes about the challenges he is facing.

As he led us to his charcoal-burning workstation amidst the gentle rains of Eldoret, he couldn't help but share the silver lining that the rainy weather brings to his livelihood.

"With the rains, business is good. Charcoal sells like hotcake now," he joked.

It has been more than three decades since the former Harambee Stars defender bid the football scene goodbye, and with it, faded the memories of his heydays.

Most of his customers are unaware that the man selling charcoal to them was once a football star who was glued to the then-only broadcasting station– Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.

Namai was born 56 years ago at Pumwani Hospital in Nairobi. His journey in football began in Eldoret, where his family relocated after his father's transfer to Kenya Railways, Eldoret. His early passion for the sport blossomed during his primary school years in Eldoret, setting the stage for a remarkable career.

"I was born in Nairobi, Pumwani Hospital. We used to stay in Makongeni from 1966. My father was working with Kenya Railways. He began working in Nairobi, transferred to Nakuru, then finally to Eldoret where we settled. I started playing football in primary school; Eldoret Union and Kapsoya Primary Schools," he offered.

He drew inspiration from his uncle Elphas Omboko who used to play for the Uganda national team. Namai's mother too was a hard-hitting striker during her school days.

He would later join Kakamega High School for his secondary education. He was the deskmate to former tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.

Namai's breakthrough came during his time at Kakamega High School, where he not only honed his skills but also had the privilege of representing Kenya in the U13 category in Italy, a memory he still holds dear. He shared a glint of pride about how while playing in San Siro Stadium, the current home of AC Milan and Inter Milan, his skills on the pitch caught the attention of none other than the legendary Paolo Maldini, an Italian former professional footballer who gifted him with a jersey.

"I was still in school when I made my debut. We went to Italy and played against teams like Inter Milan, Napoli, and Uruguay. Against Inter Milan, I played well until Paulo Maldini took off his jersey and gifted me in 1986. I put on that jersey once in a while because every time I put it on, I walk proud. It reminds me back. Those days I was still big and strong. When I look at myself today, in this state, I pity myself," he disclosed.

So fine was his form that after high school, different club buses were packed in front of the school's gate, all vying for his attention. He would then join the Ministry of Works (MOTCOM) FC, then Rivatex, before playing for KCC until 1998 when it collapsed.

Namai also revealed that he ditched his campus education to follow his passion, a decision he believes was his source of bitter regret.

"I was to join Maseno University after my form six to pursue a Bachelor in Education but I put my passion for football ahead. I decided not to join campus, a decision I really regret, because today, I would be a teacher by profession.

"Back then it was fine. I used to work for KCC as well as play football for the team. As years went by, sometimes I would come back from the field and my subordinates complained that work was not moving. One day, my manager called me and asked me to choose between football and work. I chose work, and when the company went down, I went down with it," he bitterly recalls.

His dazzling form went on for years and he was called up to the national team in 1986 where he played for almost a decade. He represented the country in a number of competitions in Egypt, and Italy, but one memory in Zambia stands out for Namai. He smiled as he recalled how the entire stadium came to a standstill as he scored the winning penalty for Kenya. He was nicknamed Agotse for that superb performance.

It was that year that Harambee Stars went down in history as winning a major title under a blind coach; the late Chris Makokha, who turned blind on the plane.

"I played for Harambee Stars between 1986 and 1990s. We went to Zambia under the late coach Chris Makokha We had tied at full time, and we won via a penalty. Zambia lost his penalty, and it was my chance to score. The whole stadium was silent and it was me against the Zambian goalkeeper. I kicked that ball directly to the net, sending cheers across the stadium. I will never forget that day. The name Agotse started from there," he told Mozzart Sport.

Unlike these days, Namai pointed out that during their days, football was an expression of talent, and was played for the love of the sport rather than lucrative contracts and deals.

"Those days, we used to rely on allowances, but there was not as much money as today. Today, leagues have money, not like today. During those days we also aimed at getting jobs in big firms like Posta, Mumias, Kenya Airways, Kenya Airways, and KCC," he offered.

Namai further called on the government to remember the unsung heroes of Kenyan sports, many of whom now grapple with the harsh realities of poverty.

"We are many. I would pray that in the future, ex-players who are interested in football could be considered to lead Kenyan football. If I were the CS, I would really want the legends to be accorded the respect they deserve. Football should also start from the grassroots level. We could have something like a Sacco of ex-players so that in case of anything, people can help," he appealed.

We chat shortly with Patrick Namai's mother Jeniffer Namai who is helping her son pack charcoal into the sacks. 75-year-old Jeniffer who has witnessed her son's triumphs and tribulations said that her son who once brought pride to their home through football is now struggling to make ends meet.

She made a maternal plea to the Ministry of Sports to recognize legends like Namai who dedicated their youth to football but have been completely forgotten.

"In the past, I was feeling good, but today, he has lots of problems, he is down. When he was young, he visited countries like Italy, and Zambia and brought me good things. But, when the company went down, his problems began. Now, he is still young and can work. Patrick is my first son, I named his father-in-law. I know that if he gets somewhere to work, he will provide for me, but the economy is bad now," Jeniffer offered.

Despite that, she was convinced that it was not the end of the road for her talented son.

"My child was really good, but I do not know what happened. But I still pray for him. People get help even in their old age. I still have hope. I plead with the government to help him so that his kids can study. He has kids who recently completed primary school. Please help my son, so that I may also taste rest," she called on.

Not far from his workstation, we visit Joyce Koech, Namai's employer. Over a cup of mursik (traditional milk), Koech who is a teacher by profession reveals that she had known Namai for more than three decades, since he was a young man. She described him as an honest and trustworthy man and pleaded with the relevant ministries to come to his rescue.

She was also concerned that soon, with the government's initiative to plant more trees, people would be using other alternative forms of energy.

"I have known Namayi for the last almost 30 years when he was still a young man. This man has hustled for his family. He is very hardworking."

"He has been burning and hawking charcoal for many years, and he is a very honest man. Whenever I have ready wattle trees for burning I call him. It is normally for domestic use. I trust him. He has earned the trust of most people here, so you have to book him early. Like me, I booked him in July for this job."

"During the dry season, his job is low. He can still work. KCC has been revived, and it is my humble request that they take him back as their former employee. Soon, we may not be doing charcoal burning because of other alternative forms of energy. If he was given a reliable job, he would be able to take care of his family," she said.

Other footballers for example Patrick Nachok died after years of misery after the Rivatex FC fall.

Before his demise in 2002, Nachok from Turkana was struggling with life in Nairobi. He could not raise Sh800 for his house rent in Kibera, according to football legend Sammy Sholei.

Former Rivatex players Alfayo Odongo, the best player in 1991, and Rodgers also passed on later while struggling after glorious football careers on the pitch.

KCC, renamed New KCC roared back to operations in 2003 while Rivatex resumed full operations in 2017 after the state pumped Sh5 billion into its revival, but without the sport.