- These are the 6 Kenya Premier League Teams With The Most Expensive Buses
The Kenya Premier League is arguably the most competitive league in the country.
From just a normal village league, it has risen to glory after glory, thanks to significant investments by various stakeholders.
In matters of transport, Kenya Premier League teams are inceasingly investing in modern vehicles.
These are not only a superb means of travel to and from matches but also a way of attracting a wide fanbase.
In this article, WoK takes a look at KPL teams with the best and most expensive buses:
Gor Mahia FC
Recently, the CS for the Ministry of Communication, Information, and Digital Technology, Dr. Eliud Owalo, donated to Gor Mahia FC a sh 23 Million 42-seater Isuzu bus, which was unveiled at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The customized FVR 90 Isuzu machine is painted in the Club’s green colors. It is already registered with the National Transport Authority as KDN 068 N.
The bus has onboard Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a state-of-the-art music system, foldable TVs, USB charging ports, and two sets of VIP seats to offer prime comfort over long-distance travel.
Gor Mahia’s previous bus, which had been renovated at a cost of sh 250 000, was auctioned over a sh 1.7 million debt the club owed their former defender Wellington Occhieng, who played for the team between 2016 and 2017.
Kakamega Home Boyz FC
In June 2020, Kakamega Homeboyz became the proud owners of a new bus, which was quickly branded by their supporters as the coolest bus in the league.
According to then club chairman Cleophas Shimanyula, the bus was bought at a whopping sh 18 million. At the time, he bragged that no other KPL team could own such a bus.
According to him, sitting on the bus was like traveling in a tour vehicle, you can’t feel any movement in your seat even on a rough road – he told Nairobi News.
Shimanyula added that the bus was just a motivational sweet for the team and that more goodies were on their way if they won the league. The team is sponsored by the county government of Kakamega.
Wazito FC
In 2018, a Dubai-based investor by the name of Ricardo Badoer bought a controlling stake in Wazito FC.
From the get-go, he hit the ground rolling by vowing to transform Wazito into a world-class team.
He started by gifting the players word-class jerseys. Recently, he opened his wallet even further by rewarding the team with a sh 12 million ultra-modern Mercedes Benz bus.
He said that the sleek, 45 seater bus, which was unveiled at the Windsor Hotel in Nairobi, would be used to transport the players to and from fixtures and training.
Ricardo also owns CD Ursaria club in Spain and is also the owner of Sumac Bank and Madgoat TV.
AFC Leopards
In March 2020, the AFC Leopards team, led by captain Dan Shikanda, attended an event at State House to receive an ultramodern Scania bus from then-president Uhuru Kenyatta.
The swanking new luxury bus was bought following a directive from the president, through the sports ministry, to unmire the club from its deep financial crisis at the time.
According to Standard, the bus, which cost between sh 7 million and sh 13 million, was bought via fundraising efforts led by Dr. Nelson Sechere, an international fundraising expert.
The bus was acquired from Chinese bus manufacturing company Golden Dragon.
This acquisition made Ingwe the only team in the country to possess two ultra-modern buses.
Shabana FC
In October 2020, former President Uhuru Kenyatta gifted Kisii-based Shabana Fc with a brand new 62-seater bus.
The team had earlier written to the president, requesting for a bus ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations.
In the handover event, which was held at Kisii State Lodge, the president donated to the club sh 5 million while ODM leader Raila Odinga donated sh 1 million.
Earlier this year, Shabana signed a sh 20 million deal with Chinese company Bang Bet, which saw the brand´s name painted on the bus. The 35 players also received three sets of uniforms and tracksuits.
Nzoia sugar FC
In June 2020, KPL team Nzoia Sugar acquired a new bus worth sh 7 million.
According to Daily Nation, the sleek, 52-seater yellow and black bus was a donation from Devolution CS Eugine Wamalwa, who had made the promise in 2017.
The club chairman Evans Kadenge said the bus would help the team cut on its travel costs for away matches. He said they would only need to cater for fuel and maintenance costs.
In the handover ceremony, which took place at State House, former president Uhuru Kenyatta gifted the club Ksh 2 million and pledged further support.
