Former Harmbee Stars Coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee on Why Tanzania Has Surpassed Kenya in Football

Former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has weighed in on the gap between Kenyan and Tanzanian football, arguing that structural investment and financial incentives have pushed Tanzania ahead.

Speaking in the aftermath of Kenya’s strong showing at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Citizen TV, Mulee pointed out that Tanzanian clubs and their league enjoy far better support than their Kenyan counterparts.

The former Tusker tactician highlighted how Tanzania’s sustainable structures have allowed them to generate enough revenue that could sustain their leagues, including price money following the end of the season.

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“In Tanzania, football is treated as big business,” Mulee said. “For example, the Tanzanian Premier League winners earn around KSh200 million. In Kenya, the champions take home just KSh5 million. That difference tells you everything.”

Mulee noted that clubs like Simba SC and Young Africans are thriving because of strong sponsorship deals with banks, telecoms, and media houses, while Kenyan teams continue to struggle. 

He added that Tanzania’s top players now earn salaries as high as $25,000 (KSh3.2m) per month, making their league more attractive for both players and coaches — including some from Kenya.

“In the past, Tanzanians came to play in our league because it was well-sponsored and scouts were watching. Now, our players are the ones moving there,” Mulee explained.

The veteran coach urged Kenyan football authorities and corporate sponsors to build on the momentum from CHAN 2024 and invest more seriously in the domestic game.

“Football is business. Clubs here spend KSh80 million a year, yet winning the league only gives you five million. That is not sustainable. The president has already shown goodwill — now the corporate world must join in,” he said.

With Tanzanian clubs making consistent appearances in CAF competitions and Kenyan sides struggling financially, Mulee’s remarks underline the urgent need for reforms if Kenya is to keep pace with its East African neighbors.