Mozzart Bet breathes more life into reborn Miwani FC with kind donation
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 20.12.25. | 22:00
Inspired by the impact the sport can have on society, Oguda, along with other like-minded members of the community, revived the Miwani Football Club in 2023
The death of Miwani Sugar Company Limited in 2012 was undoubtedly a devastating blow to countless families that relied on it directly or indirectly for their livelihoods.
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For decades, the company had been more than a business: it was a rich source of employment, a driver of local development and a significant contributor to the country's top economic growth.
When its engines were loudly revving and the end product hitting the shelves, Miwani Sugar Company did more than create jobs.
Its lively presence transformed the local community, brought together people from different backgrounds, raised living standards and fuelled a growing demand for modern amenities and expansion of social spaces.
However, signs of its decline began to emerge in 2000, and 12 years later, the company painfully closed shop.
The eventual death was more than the loss of a business, as it marked the collapse of the lifeline that had sustained generations and glued people of diverse backgrounds into one community.
Among the social amenities that flourished when the company was alive was Miwani Football Club, an outfit that kept the staff physically active, and most importantly, it offered a platform for youth from the area to audition their talents.
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Former Kenya Police FC head coach Charles 'Korea' Omondi is a living example of a footballer who launched his career at the outfit.
When the parent company went under, the club held the fort for a while.
However, the scattering of families - triggered by the closure of the source of their livelihood, among other factors - saw the club fold, rendering the once vibrant place dull.
Published author and renowned sports journalist, Zax Oguda, whose exact playing credentials Mozzart Sport could not independently establish, whether as a first-team regular or a perpetual bench-warmer, says the closure of the club was equally a bitter pill to swallow.
The young men who once had dreams of following in Korea's footsteps gradually slipped into heavy consumption of local brews, reports of crime began to emerge, and more worryingly, inter-community tensions found fertile ground.
Many youths, including Oguda, moved to Nairobi and other cities, but the troubling reports of decay of societal values at the place that laid the foundation for his success kept on concerning him.
Inspired by the impact the sport can have on society, Oguda, along with other like-minded members of the community, revived the Miwani Football Club in 2023.
"We never had issues with the consumption of illicit brew when the club was active. Crime, as well as ethnic clashes, were unheard of. There were no land-related disputes, and the youth were enjoying their football at Miwani Club.
However, everything changed once the company died. The club followed suit, and that's when everyone began to appreciate the role it had been playing," explained it to Oguda
Since breathing life into the Felix Orwa-coached club, tens of young men from different communities have since found a common goal and united for a purpose -to chase their dreams as tribeless and sober youth.
His resolve to fully liberate the youth from social ills received a shot in the arm after gaming giants Mozzart Bet, through their initiative dubbed New Jerseys for New Champions, donated full kits and footballs to the team.
The brief handover ceremony was held at the club's training ground in Miwani, which is known as Duong'a.
Club captain Washington Otieno thanked Mozzart Bet for the gesture, while promising better performances going forward.
"We thank Mozzart Bet for kitting us and providing us with footballs. It means a lot to the team, as we are still trying to gain momentum since the club was revitalised.
This will boost our morale as we pursue our football career goals," said Otieno, who doubles up as an attacking midfielder.
