Shabana FC: Three Years of Progress, Growth and Transformation

Shabana FC has undergone major changes over the past three years since returning to the FKF Premier League.

The Kisii-based club has moved from fighting to avoid relegation to becoming one of the more competitive teams in Kenya’s top flight.

The transformation has been seen both on and off the pitch, with improvements in performance, player welfare, sponsorships, fan engagement and club management.

Shabana’s rise on the pitch

Shabana FC has made steady progress in the FKF Premier League under coaches including Peter Okidi and Bernard Mwalala.

The club finished fifth in the 2024/25 season with 53 points, finishing ahead of AFC Leopards.

Shabana also finished fifth in the 2025/26 season, showing that the club has established itself as a competitive Premier League side.

The improvement has given Shabana supporters more confidence that the club can compete with some of the country’s biggest teams.

Better player welfare

One of the important areas of development has been player welfare.

Shabana entered into a partnership with Kenya Achievas Sacco to support players, technical staff and other members of the club with financial services and education.

The partnership has helped players improve their financial knowledge and access soft loans.

The club has also put more emphasis on timely salary payments, with salaries scheduled to be paid on the fifth day of every month.

For players, financial education can also help them prepare for life after football.

Major sponsorship deals

Shabana has attracted major commercial partners during its period of growth.

The club signed a KSh75 million sponsorship agreement with SportPesa, worth KSh25 million per season.

The deal provided an important financial boost and also showed the growing commercial value of the Shabana FC brand.

In February 2026, Shabana also signed a KSh10 million partnership with Oasis Healthcare Group at Gusii Stadium.

The agreement includes KSh8.8 million annually in healthcare support for players and technical staff, while KSh1.2 million was provided in direct financial support for club operations.

These partnerships have helped strengthen the club’s financial and operational foundation.

Greater financial transparency

Shabana has also taken steps to improve communication with its supporters.

One notable practice has been publicly sharing matchday gate collections after games.

The move gives supporters a better understanding of how much money is generated from matchday activities and helps build trust between the club and its fans.

Financial transparency is becoming increasingly important in modern football, and Shabana’s approach has attracted attention among its supporters.

Modern matchday experience

Shabana has introduced several changes aimed at improving the matchday experience at Gusii Stadium.

The club became the first SportPesa Premier League team to install LED advertising screens at the stadium.

The screens provide more opportunities for sponsors and also give the stadium a more modern appearance.

The club has also introduced live matchday mascots, adding entertainment for supporters, families and young fans.

Supporters remain a key strength

Shabana FC’s supporters continue to be one of the club’s biggest strengths.

Fans have established structured welfare branches in different parts of Kenya and in the diaspora.

These groups do more than attend matches. They also participate in welfare activities and support the club and its players when needed.

The relationship between Shabana and its supporters remains an important part of the club’s identity.

Contribution to Harambee Stars

Shabana has also contributed players to the national team.

Players such as Brian Michira and Austin Odongo have been involved with Harambee Stars.

The presence of Shabana players at international level shows the club’s role in developing and supplying talent to Kenyan football.

A new team bus

Infrastructure has also improved.

Shabana now has a modern team bus donated by President William Ruto.

The bus has improved the team’s travelling arrangements and provides better logistical support for players and technical staff.

More than just league positions

Shabana FC’s progress over the last three years is about more than finishing positions.

The club has made progress in player welfare, sponsorship, financial transparency, infrastructure, fan engagement and matchday entertainment.

The journey from fighting relegation to consistently finishing among the top five shows how much the club has changed.

The progress has involved the efforts of management, players, coaches, sponsors and supporters.

The road ahead

Shabana FC now has an opportunity to build on the foundation created over the past three years.

The next challenge will be to maintain financial discipline, continue improving the squad, strengthen youth development and compete for even bigger achievements in Kenyan football.

For a club with such a passionate fan base, the ambition is clear.

Shabana FC is no longer simply fighting to stay in the Premier League. The club is building toward becoming a stronger and more modern football institution in Kenya.