Bukembe fanatic would cycle to Mombasa to watch Man U

Friends School Bukembe diehard fan Ken Makokha who rose to prominence for cycling almost 400Km to cheer them at the regionals in Lodwar declared he can pedal all the way to Mombasa to watch English Premier League giants, Manchester United.

Makokha hit local and international headlines when he hopped into his Black Mamba bike to watch his local favourites play was an instant hit at the nationals in Kisumu last week.

“In Europe, I love United and even if they came to Mombasa and I have no other means to reach there, I will be on my bike again to pedal all the way.

“I hope we will soon have a big reason to celebrate Harambee Stars. Sometimes patriotism requires motivation and in sports it only comes with good performance,” the man who made #BungomaMarvel trend told Citizen Digital in Kisumu.

Makokha added he is only a passive supporter of Kenyan Premier League side, AFC Leopards, the team that draws its biggest fanbase from the western region he hails from.

However, the crazed supporter never got to see his favoured side lift the national title after Bukembe bowed out at the semi-finals.

He was nonetheless pleased they recovered from an opening pool match defeat to eventual losing finalists, Barding High, to finish fourth and earn a ticket to the Eldoret regional games.

Bukembe lost 3-2 to ousted titleholders Passenga in the third place play-off staged at the Moi Stadium Kisumu, which Makokha watched in awe having risen to fame when his unorthodox journey went viral.

During the Airtel Rising Stars/Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Term 2B Ball Games finals in the Lakeside city, Makokha was hot property fans queued up to take selfies with him according him the status of being one of the big attractions of the tournament off the pitch.

“I expected them to lift the trophy but even finishing fourth is a great achievement being the first time they are playing in nationals.

“Everyone was asking how we managed to eliminate big names like St. Anthony’s Boys to clinch the Nzoia Region’s trophy. The current administration is very serious with football and I know this is just a start, next year we will be back stronger,” the Kanduyi native narrated.

During the week Bukembe were in Kisumu, Makokha did not need to use his Black Mamba or hop into the spanking new motorcycle gifted to him by Bungoma Governor, Ken Lusaka.

“Transport arrangements were made for me as part of the team. I love football yes, but I’m moved when Bukembe is winning because they are doing what we could not do in our time there.

“I studied there and sat for my O-level certificate in 1994. Since then I have been following up all the teams that have come and gone even when they could not achieve anything remarkable,” he revealed the roots of his crazed support for the school.

Little did he know at the time time that his passion would turned him into a star in his later years.

“In our time we could not go past district level let alone the region that the current players are commanding,” recalled the peasant farmer.

Makokha confirmed he will accompany the team to the regional finals in Eldoret where he is banking on Bukembe to cause an upset and lift the East Africa crown.