Harambee Stars Defender Opens Up on How Gen Z Protests Cost Him Ksh4 Million Monthly Transfer

Harambee Stars defender Abud Omar has revealed how the 2024 Gen Z protests in Kenya derailed a major career opportunity, causing him to lose out on a transfer worth Ksh4 million per month.

In mid-2024, Kenyan youths staged widespread demonstrations against several issues under President William Ruto’s government. The protests, which came to be known as the Gen Z protests, erupted across towns nationwide in June. Young Kenyans voiced their frustrations over the Finance Bill, rising living costs, corruption, and unemployment.

The unrest intensified over time, culminating in demonstrators storming Parliament. The situation escalated to a point where President Ruto dissolved parts of his government and initiated dialogue with the youth leaders.

Amid this turmoil, the ambitions of Kenyan footballers were also affected. Abud Omar, who currently plays for FKF Premier League champions Kenya Police, was among those whose dreams were interrupted. Omar had been on the verge of sealing a lucrative move to a Major League Soccer (MLS) club when the protests began, thinking everything was proceeding smoothly until unforeseen events intervened.

Omar Details the Missed Opportunity

“I had an agreement to join an MLS team for Ksh4 million per month, but the deal collapsed because of the Gen Z protests,” Omar told the Tiki Taka Show.

He explained that the U.S. embassy in Kenya had temporarily suspended regular visa processing. “At the time, they were only issuing visas for Americans returning home. I couldn’t get my visa processed, and that’s what caused the deal to fall through,” he said.

Omar admitted he had hoped the political tensions would ease quickly, allowing him to secure the visa. Unfortunately, the protests persisted, occurring mainly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and continued escalating. “When the demonstrators reached Parliament and threatened to head to State House, the embassy shut down completely until further notice,” he recalled.

Replacement Player Ends Hopes

Even after the situation started calming down, Omar’s chance never resurfaced. The MLS club he was meant to join signed another player, who made an immediate impact.

“I spoke with the coach, and he said he had to sign someone else. That player scored on his debut in the second half, and that was the end of my opportunity,” Omar explained. He added that the club’s system, which relied on wingbacks in a 3-5-2 formation, allowed the new signing to shine immediately.

Despite the setback, Omar has been linked with potential moves away from Kenya Police, though he denied recent reports suggesting a transfer to South Africa.

Omar, 33, has had a rollercoaster career in Europe, spanning seven years from 2015 to 2022. During that time, he played for clubs in Greece, Bulgaria, Belgium, and Romania before returning home to continue his career with Kenya Police.