By Martin Were aka Drone
On 12th March 1964, something monumental happened. Under the stewardship of the late Mzee Israeli Mutokaa (may his soul rest in peace), a few brave Luhyas birthed a dream — a united Luhya team. That dream came to life as the Abaluhya Football Club.
Every Luhya team folded and merged into one mighty force. Only Maragoli United stayed out, for reasons I’ll explain another day. But the vision was clear: a Luhya united — not just in dialect, but in spirit and in blood.
Fast forward — it breaks my heart to remind us that the last time Ingwe lifted the league title was 1998. That history-making squad led by Sunday Kayuni featured warriors like Francis Oduor, Eric Mbwabi (RIP), Paul Ochieng, Fred Ambani, Bonface Ambani and others who defied the odds and gave us glory.
That was the last battalion to bring honor to the den. After that, turbulence struck — relegation, mismanagement, and loss of identity.
The Selebwa & Magelo Factor
It took a young man — Gilbert Selebwa (now coach and pundit) — to attempt to breathe life back into a dying Leopard. He understood two things deeply: football and unity of the Luhya nation.
But today, that vision has been mutilated. What Selebwa and our forefathers built has been abused by some fans who’ve turned Ingwe into a welfare group, valuing the dead more than the living Leopards.
End the Grievepreneurship
Let me be blunt: some members have glorified death for financial gain. Families in mourning are being exploited. Funds raised never reach the bereaved. Grief has become an enterprise.
Branches must desist from stealing from grieving families. Every coin collected in the name of solidarity must go directly to the affected family — and it must be handed over in full, without deductions.
Why is it that our membership balloons during funerals, yet the same faces are invisible in the stands or at AGMs? This rot must end.
I strongly believe Ambani must order a thorough audit of all Briescafe branches and shut down those that are either underperforming or were set up with dubious motives. It is evident that some outlets were never intended to advance the brand’s mission but to swindle members and exploit the system — the work of ‘grief-preneurs’ out to enrich themselves. Such practices erode trust, weaken the organization, and drain resources that should be put to better use. By decisively eliminating these questionable branches and rallying around the credible and transparent ones, Ambani will restore integrity, strengthen operations, and steer Briescafe toward lasting growth”
Coach Ambani Must Be Supported
The current technical bench deserves nothing but our utmost support and cheer. It baffles me to see grievepreneurs baying for the blood of the Ambani brothers, oblivious of their glorious past. We cannot build a great club by changing coaches like diapers.
We must rally behind the badge, behind the NEC’s vision, and most importantly — behind the team.
To my fellow Leopards: let’s return to our core business — football. All else must remain secondary.
