Taiwo Atieno: Why connecting diaspora, local players could ignite Harambee Stars' AFCON 2027 dream

Former Harambee Stars striker Taiwo Atieno urges unity between local and diaspora players to boost Kenya's AFCON 2027 ambitions.

Taiwo Atieno may have retired from professional football but his voice continues to echo with purpose and conviction—especially when it comes to the future of Kenyan football.

The former Harambee Stars forward believes that bridging the gap between diaspora players and homegrown talent could be a game-changer for the national team as it sets its sights on qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Born and raised in Brixton, London, Atieno’s connection to Kenya was not always clear-cut. The son of a Kenyan father and British mother, his early years were shaped by life in England.

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Reflecting on the evolution of the game and the increasingly diverse makeup of the national team, Atieno believes the current trend of diaspora players returning to represent Kenya is a vital step in the right direction.

“It’s been great to see #Kenyan players in the diaspora returning to represent the national team. It’s not only beneficial for local players to connect and network with their #diaspora counterparts, but it also offers diaspora players the opportunity to learn more about their heritage through local players on the ground and share with other sports organisations in the west,” he wrote on Instagram.

The former striker sees this kind of interaction as more than just tactical collaboration—it is about building shared identity, national pride and mutual respect within the squad.

“This cultural exchange will play a significant role in the growth of Kenyan football both home and abroad, creating shared benefits for all involved,” he added.

Atieno's own journey into the Kenyan team was filled with challenges, from dealing with personal loss to adjusting to a football environment very different from what he had known in the UK and the US.

His reflections highlight not only how far the national team has come but also how important it is for returning players to be prepared for a unique, sometimes difficult, but ultimately rewarding experience.

“Being the first Kenyan diaspora to represent #Kenya, I fully appreciate the courage it takes to come to Kenya — and to #Africa. It’s a very different game and historically very little is known or promoted about Kenyan/African football in the West, and historically, Kenyan communities in major cities like London were small in both number and visibility.”

Otieno recalls arriving in Nairobi in 2009 under emotional and political tension, shortly after the post-election crisis and just after losing his father to cancer.

“I still remember arriving in #nairobi in 2009 (for the second time since 1995 when I was 10), it was not long after the 2007 post-election violence, I had just lost my father to cancer and I had no idea who to turn to or where to go,” he said.

Despite these hurdles, Atieno found a sense of purpose and belonging through faith and the kindness of strangers.

“I simply placed all my faith in Jesus Christ and found good people to steer me in the right direction. I had made a promise to my father on his deathbed — to bring his body home to Kenya and to do everything I could to represent the national team. It was a dream we both shared since I was 15 and it was a honour to be selected to represent Kenya in 2010 AFCON and World Cup Qualifiers. I made lots of good friends and learnt a lot of Kenya’s culture, heritage and history. It’s a country kind hearted people and a great passion for football!,” he said.

Looking ahead, Atieno is encouraged by the strides made by the Football Kenya Federation and the improved structure around the national team. For him, this positive momentum should energize both current players and the wider football community.

“Fast forward to 2025, and Kenya has made huge improvements with FKF now a much more professional and structured organisation. The progress has been both significant and positive,” he noted.

Atieno believes that unity, shared identity, and a collective commitment to excellence are the ingredients that will carry Kenya to success in 2027 and beyond.

“This is what continues to inspire me — and should inspire others — to join the fight and keep contributing to the growth of Kenyan football. The potential is enormous, and the game has the power to unite communities and bring real pride to Kenyans both at home and abroad in the diaspora. That’s a vision — and a reality — worth working and fighting for,” he concluded.