From Pitch to Politics: Harambee Stars Striker Set to Contest Parliamentary Seat

Harambee Stars striker Masoud Juma has joined the list of Kenyan sportsmen and women who have expressed an interest in politics.

Juma, who is a household name in Kenyan football, seems to be planning to hang his boots in two years’ time after announcing that he will be vying for the Isiolo North Parliamentary seat.

In a social media post captioned ‘Possibility in Adversity,’ Juma enumerated his agenda as he seeks to unseat the incumbent MP Joseph Lomwa Samal, who is serving his second term, having first been elected in 2013, before recapturing the seat in 2022.

Juma has set his eyes on the seat in the 2027 General Election and he has a six-point agenda of what he wants to do for the people of Isiolo North if elected.

“Youth opportunities; Skills, training jobs and support for entrepreneurship. Better infrastructure; Good hospitals, roads, clean water and electricity. Sports development; Nurture talents, fight drugs and crime through grassroots sports,” Juma wrote on his campaign poster.

He went on: “Fight poverty and inequality; Empower farmers, traders and households. Good governance; End corruption, ensure accountability and deliver results. Unity and justice; Kick out tribalism, promote peace, and protect rights for all.”

Juma hopes his agenda will be bought by the people as he joins the murky waters of Kenyan politics which is known to be a dirty and expensive affair where aspirants use every trick in the book to emerge victorious.

The 29-year-old’s announcement comes just days after he sealed a move to Lebanese side Nejmeh SC, having signed a short-term deal with National Super League club Migori Youth two months ago, which allowed him to represent Kenya at the 2024 African Nations Championships.

The former Kariobangi Sharks striker is a journeyman who has also played in South Africa before moving to the Middle East in 2018 where he has turned out for clubs in the United Arab Emirates, Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Iran.