Kenya Police FC Technical Director Mbarak ‘Mnyama’ Bashatir
has dismissed reports that head coach Nicholas Muyoti and his assistant John
Baraza have been sacked, saying the two coaches requested time away to pursue
CAF A coaching qualifications.
Speaking exclusively to Citizen Digital, Bashatir said the
club had agreed to support the duo’s professional development, stressing that
their departure was not a dismissal.
“As leaders of Kenya Police FC, we decided to support our
two coaches in pursuing CAF A coaching qualifications, which is a great step
for our club. Muyoti is a great coach, and we have no grudge against him,”
Bashatir said.
Police FC have endured a slow start to the 2026/27 FKF
Premier League season, opening with a 1-1 draw against Migori Youth before
suffering a 2-1 defeat to AFC Leopards in their second match.
However, Bashatir insisted the early-season results had
nothing to do with the decision to allow the coaches to pursue further
training.
“It is not a matter of the team's performance this season
that has led to this decision. Even last season, we lost the Mozzart Cup and
the league championship, but Muyoti was still our head coach. So, this cannot
be a case of us sacking Muyoti. They are heading for coaching classes,” he
added.
Asked whether the club planned to appoint a new head coach,
Bashatir declined to confirm any recruitment plans, instead using an analogy to
explain how the team could maintain continuity in the coaches’ absence.
“You can go on a journey, but the driver may suffer from an
illness, perhaps diabetes or high blood pressure. This means that if the driver
becomes incapacitated, the conductor can take over and drive the vehicle to its
intended destination. So, as for claims that we are going to hire a coach, I
have no information about that,” he said.
Meanwhile, Police FC are set to travel to Mombasa on Sunday
to face newly promoted Mombasa United, who are chasing their first win in the
top flight after opening their campaign with defeats to Kakamega Homeboyz and
Mara Sugar.
Despite their own slow start, Bashatir said Police FC were
determined to return to winning ways and collect maximum points at the Coast.
“We are ready, and we know we are going to play against a
side that is new to the KPL. We know they will try to show their capabilities,
but on our side, we will be out to stamp our authority. We will be going for
the three points,” he declared.
The encounter is scheduled for Sunday at Mbaraki Sports Ground in Mombasa, with both sides looking to kick-start their league campaigns.