‘We Can Build Our Own LaLiga’ – FKF Boss Eyes Kenyan Football Revamp Amid Aldrine Kibet Rise at Celta Vigo

FKF President Hussein Mohammed has stated that Kenya can create its own version of LaLiga amid the rise of talents like Aldrine Kibet.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has called for a structural and mindset shift in Kenyan football, urging stakeholders to focus on building a strong, lucrative local league rather than viewing European football as the only path to success.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, the FKF boss emphasized the need for long-term investments in homegrown talent and infrastructure, using rising star Aldrine Kibet's move to LaLiga club Celta Vigo as a springboard for the conversation.

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While celebrating the success of Kenyan youngsters like Kibet who have made the leap to international football, Mohammed cautioned against the over-romanticization of foreign leagues, highlighting the harsh reality that only a minuscule fraction of players will ever make it abroad.

"The point here I think that we need to drive home is that a very small percentage of our footballers will make it to the very big leagues — let’s say 0.5%. What happens to the 99.5% that have to play local football at the grassroots level and at the national level here at home?" he posed.

Mohammed Eyes Sustainable Football Economy at Home

Hussein Mohammed's vision centers on transforming Kenya’s domestic football into a viable career path.

“You can aspire to want to play for the biggest teams, biggest clubs in the world. What happens if you don't make it?” he asked, stressing the importance of making local leagues attractive both professionally and financially.

“What we need to do is to make our leagues back at home as lucrative as possible so that you can earn a decent living playing football within your local leagues. And if you play for the best teams in the world, then it's a bonus.”

The FKF boss called on corporate sponsors, media houses, and government bodies to rally behind local football to grow the industry into one that can retain its best talent and provide meaningful livelihoods.

Kibet's Rise Gives Hope in Talent Identification and Development

Central to Mohammed’s strategy is improving talent identification and nurturing at the grassroots level.

He stressed the need for enhanced cooperation with institutions such as the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) and the Kenya Primary Schools Sports Association (KPSSA).

“We need to work very closely with them so that we are able to track that talent — the way we did with Kibet, and the way we have done with others. We can do a little bit more.”

Kibet, who was discovered through local school competitions, is a prime example of the success that can be achieved when grassroots systems are functional.

But Mohammed insists that the ultimate goal should not be exporting all top talent to foreign leagues.

“The target really is not to see a majority of our players trying to play in the English League. We can build our own LaLiga here.”

With a renewed focus on infrastructure, youth development, and commercialization of the game, FKF's current leadership believes Kenya has the potential to establish its own world-class football product, one that offers both passion and a paycheck.