Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League outfit Kakamega Homeboyz have settled for the services of Francis Baraza as the new head coach for the remainder of the season.
The coaching role at the Kakamega-based club fell vacant following the sacking of Ken Kenyatta. The former FC Talanta coach was relieved of his duties after a string of poor results in the top-flight. Homeboyz had endured a frustrating campaign which had seen them go for five matches without a win.
They kicked off their season with a shocking 3-0 defeat against promoted side Mara Sugar, and went ahead to register two draws – 0-0 against another promoted side Mathare United and 2-2 against Tusker.
Homeboyz then suffered two consecutive defeats – 1-0 against Kariobangi Sharks and 4-1 against table leaders KCB.
The outcome of the opening five matches prompted the club’s top management to crack the whip by showing Kenyatta, who had arrived from Talanta at the start of the season, the exit door.
Baraza Tasked to Revive Homeboyz Fortunes
Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula confirmed to SportsBoom.com they had settled on Baraza to steady the sinking ship after the former Kenya Police tactician agreed to pen a six month contract.
“We have handed the coaching mantle to Francis (Baraza), he is an experienced coach whom we believe will revive our fortunes in the league, we had started badly but having him on board will definitely help improve on our results,” Shimanyula told SportsBoom.com.
“He has signed a six month contract, and if he does well, then we will negotiate for an extension, Baraza is happy working under the short term deal and he will be given a free hand to bring his coaching staff.”
Baraza arrived at Homeboyz after he was fired by Kenya Police in September 2023 following a poor start to the season. He went ahead to demand more than Ksh4 million awarded to him by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) over wrongful dismissal.
Baraza issued Police with a Ksh4.9 million demand notice, being Sh3.2 million for constructive dismissal, Sh800,000 for unfair termination of his contract, his salary arrears for September 2023, and a further Sh400,000 for the notice period.
After leaving Police, Baraza, who previously had coached top teams including Tusker FC, Chemelil Sugar, Western Stima and Sony Sugar, as well as Tanzanian sides Biashara United and Kagera Sugar, moved to Tanzania where he took up the coaching role at Dodoma Jiji.
However, he never lasted in Tanzania as he was fired owing to a string of poor results.
