The East African football community is in mourning following the tragic passing of renowned Kenyan coach Justin Okiring, a highly respected figure credited with developing some of the region’s best female football talent.
Okiring, who formerly served as the Head Coach of Trans Nzoia Falcons and was widely known for his success at the high school level, succumbed to injuries sustained in a brutal attack near the volatile Trans-Nzoia–West Pokot border, a region that neighbours Uganda.
The coach had been hospitalized in Kitale after the assault, which ‘Mozart Sports’ indicated may have been carried out by assailants known to him, though the area is notorious for bandit attacks.
A Legacy Forged in Regional Success
Okiring’s death represents a profound loss to Kenyan and regional women’s football, particularly for his immense contribution to talent development.
His most notable achievements came during his tenure at Wiyeta Girls, where he successfully led the school to multiple national championships.
Crucially, Okiring guided Wiyeta Girls to victory in the 2017 East Africa Secondary School Games (FEASSSA) a tournament deeply followed by Ugandan fans cementing his reputation as a master tactician at the youth level.
He is widely credited with nurturing some of Kenya’s brightest football stars who went on to represent the Kenya Harambee Starlets, including celebrated names like Jentrix Shikangwa, Nelly Sawe, and Mwanahalima Adam.
The late coach’s dedication to grassroots development provided a strong foundation for both Kenyan and East African women’s football, and his influence will be missed across the border and beyond.
