Bunyore Starlets' to unveil new technical bench ahead of NSL campaign

Bunyore Starlets FC, who were recently relegated to the Women’s National Super League (WNSL), have made sweeping changes to their technical bench ahead of their campaign in the second-tier league.

Club chairman Moses Mabwa says a new head coach will take charge of the Mumboha-based side, with the goal of guiding the team back to the Kenya Women’s Premier League (KWPL), where they played for four consecutive seasons before last season’s dramatic relegation.

“We will unveil the new coach on August 20. After that, the players will report to camp in preparation for the NSL season ahead,” Mabwa told Citizen Digital, adding that the club’s management structure will also be streamlined.

He further revealed that the Starlets will operate with a leaner administrative office next season. The new coach, however, will have full authority to select his own backroom staff, with the main target being a return to the top flight.

Bunyore Starlets’ relegation followed a turbulent period marked by a mass exodus of players. The instability began after Timothy Ondeko, who had replaced founding coach Daniel Arunga, left for a county government job. Mabwa was unable to stabilize the team as a high turnover of coaches became evident.

Midway through last season, former Kisumu All Starlets coach Nick Akech took over, assisted by Vennerandah Khasoah, but left after citing the club’s failure to honour their agreement. He was succeeded by Solomon Masika, previously with Bungoma Queens, who also departed abruptly with only four matches remaining in the KWPL campaign.

Vincent Muhando, formerly with Vihiga County League side Bugembe FC, then stepped in but could not prevent the relegation of the troubled Vihiga-based outfit.

“I can confirm we parted ways with Vincent Muhando by mutual agreement. Fortunately, we have not lost any players so far, and the new coach’s priority will be to strengthen the squad,” said Mabwa, who last year ousted club CEO Zachariah Amakhang’a after a prolonged leadership wrangle.

Mabwa expressed optimism that the Starlets will reclaim their place in the KWPL next season.