More than 30 football teams and stakeholders from the sport have raised over Sh250,000 for the burial of the late Kenya Premier League (KPL) striker Ezekiel Otuoma.
The ceremony is set to take place on January 11 in Ramula, Gem, Siaya County.
Eric Bob Otieno, Otuoma’s first coach, organized a fundraising football tournament at the Absa Sports Club in Nairobi to support the event.
He expressed his gratitude to the Kenyan football community for rallying behind their own.
“I met him when he was just five years old in Mbotela estate, where I began coaching him and others at our Kamaliza club. He became like a son to me, and his family is well known to us,” said Otieno.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Vice President McDonald Mariga and his brother, Victor Wanyama, both played for Friends of Mariga FC in the six-a-side tournament and were present to honour Otuoma.
“He was only 31 years old, but unfortunately, a rare illness cut his life short. We are here as the Kenyan football family to offer condolences to his wife, Rachael, and his family and friends,” said Mariga.
He also commended the spirit shown by the players, highlighting the significance of such unity for the growth of the game in Kenya.
Four-time KPL-winning coach Robert Matano, who coached Otuoma at Ulinzi Stars during the 2014/2015 season and later worked with him at AFC Leopards in the 2017/2018 season, also attended the event.
Matano praised Otuoma as a disciplined player who was deeply committed to his career.
Sports journalists also participated, contributing over Sh10,000 to honor the late footballer.
Otuoma, nicknamed “Rooney,” passed away on December 21, 2024, after a prolonged battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), a rare condition that affects the brain and nerves, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.
McDonald Mariga participating in Otuoma’s burial fundraising tournament.
Otuoma’s football journey began at his boyhood club, Mbotela Kamaliza FC, before he moved on to play for prominent top-flight teams, including Muhoroni Youth FC, Western Stima, FC Talanta, Ulinzi Stars, and AFC Leopards.
A requiem mass will be held on Thursday, followed by the burial in Siaya on Saturday.
