Founded in 1956, Friends School Kamusinga (FSK) is a towering giant that unapologetically roars loudly not only in academics but also in co-curricular activities. For this reason, the school which is situated on the slopes of Mount Elgon is undoubtedly outstanding and has produced great personalities in leadership, innovation and sports.
This article will focus on FSK alumni who have carved niches for themselves in the world of sports.
Ferdinand Omanyala – Omanyala is currently Kenya’s fastest man after he clocked an impressive 10.00 seconds in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics 100 metre race. The 25 year old joined Kamusinga in 2010 though his interests were in the oval ball. He joined the school rugby team in 2012.
After secondary education, he wanted to join the Kenya 7s team and presented himself in Nairobi for trials which were never to be.
“Five years ago, I was called to play for U20 Kenya 7s but coming back here in Nairobi, there was no trials, so I decided to give it up,” he told Citizen TV.
In a swift change of cards, Omanyala was advised to try it out on the track after a friend noticed his fast speed. He competed in local races, not to lose even a single.
His current coach, Duncan Ayiemba took up the task to polish him to become a professional sprinter. Omanyala’s star continued to rise and he set a new national record of 10.02 seconds that earned him a ticket to the Olympics where he beat his own record twice.
Tylor Ongwae Okari – Kenyan basketballer Tylor Okari schooled at FSK between 2007 and 2010 and was the school’s deputy school captain in his final year of secondary education.
At a tender age, Okari was interested in playing football but he suffered a fracture after an awful tackle from an opponent. The Eldoret- born star called it quits and switched the playground to the basketball court in form 1 when he joined FSK.
Mentored by the finest of coaches, his meteoric rise couldn’t go unnoticed and he was soon a member of the school team nicknamed the Tigers.
The 6’6 feet man always gave his best and his unparalleled brightness earned him the most valuable player in the national secondary schools’ competition in 2009.
After completing his secondary school education, he flew to the United States to play for University of Louisiana as he continued his studies. The exposure introduced him to a different caliber of basketball players.
“Basketball in America is way different from here (in Kenya), the physicality – you know guys over there are bigger, stronger and faster, (you have to) stay in the gym, spend a lot of time so that you can catch up with them,” Okari told Topsport.
On professional basketball, Okari has played for Solna Vikings (Sweden) before transfering to Italy. His outstanding play recently earned him the Danish defender of the year for Bakken Bears.
Afrobasket Qualifiers
Earlier this year, Okari made history by enabling the Morans to qualify for the Afrobasket tournament when he scored at the buzzer thereby Kenya defeating Angola by 74-73. The country had not qualified for the continental competition for 27 years. The Afrobasket clash will be held between 24th August, and 5th September, 2021.
In February this year, Okari bagged the Sports Journalist Association of Kenya (SJAK) award following his immense contribution to the team. An elated Okari gave a thumbs up to the facilitators of the award, terming it a step in the right direction.
“We need the support, we need well-wishers to come and support us. We just need that vibe; the good vibes around us, ” he told KTN news.
Paul Kiongera – Kiongera is a professional footballer who has had a number of appearances for Kenya’s Harambee Stars. The striker was born in Webuye and played for FSK football side nicknamed ‘kamikaze.’
Perhaps the player who has played for most Kenyan Premier League sides, Kiongera has featured for bankers KCB, Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, ‘moneybags’ Wazito FC and currently plays for Sofapaka.
Tom Adwar – Adwar is a talented defensive midfielder who left FSK in 2013 and was also a member of the school’s football team. After high school, he played for Muhoroni Youth and Sofapaka before he recently signed for Texas Spurs that plays in the US lower side tier.
