Boost for APS Bomet as Ksh.30m is raised, bus pledged

The CS has also pledged a new bus which he said President William Ruto will buy, to ease transport for the team in the Premier League assignments.

Speaking during a fund drive dinner on Wednesday at a Nairobi hotel, Murkomen said the team has shown  commendable effort, which earns them the trust to be supported even more.

"I visited the venue (IAAF) Stadium in Bomet and saw the conditions under which the team has been playing in the National Super League (NSL), and I was just humbled to see they made it to the Premier League despite the challenging environment. It just shows how much more the team can achieve with the right support, which we are ready to offer. 

"I want to challenge the Board, Madam Rose, that we can fight for at least top five in the first season," Murkomen said. 

Over Ksh. 30 million was raised during the event, as confirmed by APS Bomet Board Chairman Bishop Dr. Fred Akama, without revealing the exact figures.

Murkomen at the same time congratulated APS Bomet for joining the high ranks as their fellow National Police Service members, who are immensely contributing to the glory of Kenya's sport across disciplines.

"We are very proud of our officers in the National Police Service - in sport. You have seen how some of them are shining in the ongoing CHAN tournament. We hope APS Bomet will also contribute to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027," he said.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Gilbert Masengeli called for more commitment and focus from the club's management, noting that the effort required to flourish in the Premier League is enormous.

"When a cat wants to become a lion, it must stop the habit of feeding on rats. You know what we need to drop as a team, on our march towards the Premier League title. This calls for improvement on every area, especially financial prudence," said DIG Masengeli. 

Dr. Akama was thankful for the goodwill exhibited by the CS Murkomen, who is also the patron of the club, saying that with good support, the team will be a force to reckon with in the top league.

"We have seen what good management can do in football. Not so many clubs in our country enjoy the good management as required. We want to ensure good management for the team, and our target is to win the Premier League title within three years," a confident Akama offered, also thanking the business community, sponsors and friends who are already putting resources into the club.

APS Bomet Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Faith Chemutai said that they are keen on contributing majorly in football, saying their journey so far confirms their determination and resilience.

"We will be playing in the Kenyan Premier League in the 2025/26, I confirm that as the CEO, the custodian of the team. It is a great achievement, which we are proud of. I can confidently say that we are not going to the Premier League to just participate, but to seriously compete. 

"We started off our journey in 2014 as a way of enhancing the relationship between the civilians and law enforcement officers in Bomet, starting from the lowest level of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) leagues. Again, I confirm we that we played in all the leagues on our way up to the Premier League, which underlines our commitment in the sport," recalled Chemutai, the CEO.

Member of Parliament for Uriri Consituency Mark Nyamita and Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei were at the event, and the former was quick to underline the significance of sport in maintaining law and public order. 

"About 90 per cent of our youth, especially the Gen Zs, are football followers. You have seen what we have been experiencing with CHAN. When the fan zones were put up following CAF sanctions, you saw how it worked well. It simply shows how sports and security or order are intertwined," he advised.

Sigei, in his remarks, pledged to walk the journey with the team in their bid to clinch the Premier League title within three years.

APS Bomet was promoted to the Premier League last season after finishing second in the NSL behind Nairobi United, earning their first ever slot in the league.