Humphrey Aroko is the latest member of the Kariobangi Sharks talent hub that has earned a trial in Europe for Swedish giants AIK, and Omija, himself a Kariobangi Sharks product, has explained how the set up makes players better.
Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars defender Alphonce Omija has highlighted Kariobangi Sharks’ crucial role in developing Kenyan players, with Humphrey Aroko becoming the latest graduate of their system to secure a trial with Swedish top-flight club AIK.
Aroko, who achieved a C+ in the 2024 KCSE exams, qualifies for direct entry into a public university. However, his primary focus remains on football, with aspirations of a professional career before considering further education.
The teenager is currently in Spain with AIK for their pre-season training camp. Having arrived in Sweden in January, Aroko is now undergoing trials with the club.
Should he impress, he could earn a contract, following in the footsteps of Stanley Wilson, another Kariobangi Sharks product who joined AIK last August after a year in the FKF Premier League.
Kariobangi Sharks have gained recognition for their ability to develop and export talent. The club secured a lucrative transfer fee of nearly USD 200,000 (Ksh25.8 million) from Wilson’s move to AIK, and a successful trial for Aroko could result in another profitable deal.
Several other players have benefitted from the Sharks system, including Andres Odhiambo, who has been linked with a move to Sweden, and Kelvin Wangaya, who currently plies his trade in Albania. Notably, Masoud Juma, among others, also emerged from the Kariobangi Sharks setup before securing moves abroad.
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Omija, who himself joined Kariobangi Sharks in 2019 after struggling to break into Gor Mahia’s first team, spoke highly of the club’s player development under former FKF president Nick Mwendwa’s ownership.
“Sharks are real developers,” Omija said in an interview on the Tiki Taka Show.
“That really is a real footballing school. It is like joining primary school in class one with 200 marks and leaving with 400 marks. That is Sharks. Their results at producing top players are tangible for all to see.”
Founded in 2000, Kariobangi Sharks began in the lower divisions of Nairobi football, providing an escape for youth in an area once considered a crime hotspot.
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Nick Mwendwa, who was instrumental in forming the club, initially gathered young players from the Holy Trinity Catholic Church basketball court in Kariobangi, offering them guidance and football necessities such as boots and balls.
The club originally operated under the name Kariobangi Sportive before rebranding to Kariobangi Sharks FC.
After participating in local tournaments, the team was officially registered, enabling them to compete in the Nairobi County League, the lowest tier in Kenya at the time.
Since then, Kariobangi Sharks have built a reputation for identifying and nurturing unknown talents, giving them crucial playtime at the highest levels of Kenyan football.
With their track record of producing top players, Kariobangi Sharks continue to be a launching pad for young Kenyan footballers aiming for success on the international stage.
