Ex-soldier Waruru begins life as a civilian

Former Ulinzi Stars hit man Stephen Waruru has penned a two-year deal with last season’s Kenya Premier League runners up Sofapaka, snubbing 2016 champions Tusker FC.

The ace hit media waves early this month when he revealed that he was trading the gun for the boot, and his transfer to Batoto ba Mungu has finally put an end to his transfer saga.

Speaking with Citizen Digital, Waruru expressed delight in signing for the 2009 league winners.

“Sofapaka is the best team in the league. When you analyze their performance of last season, you realise they performed exceedingly well and finished second. They also have experienced players who will help me develop my career.”

Waruru opted to change careers by resigning from the Kenya Defence Forces, ending what has been a modest career with the military outfit.

On this, he said:  “I left because I wanted a normal life.”

Waruru aims at being the league’s top scorer once more and also winning a trophy with Sofapaka.

“I want to be top scorer again, but first I will have to learn and adapt to my new team and their style of play.”

In the eight years he was at Ulinzi, the former Thika United striker won the league in 2009, the KPL Top 8 trophy in 2011 and the Golden Boot award in 2011, scoring 12 goals. Last year he was third with 11 goals.

The move is a blow to Ulinzi as their other striker, Samuel Onyango, is on the brink of sealing a deal with record 16-time Kenyan Premier League champions, Gor Mahia. The two attackers combined to score 17 goals between them in the ended campaign, as Ulinzi finished seventh on the log on 48 points.

This will be the second time the soldiers are losing a marquee talent after several years of service in the army. Last season, top scorer John Mark Makwatta ditched them for Zambian outfit Buildcon FC.