Mokua back as Nzoia Sugar FC chairman

Yapets Mokua is back as the FKF Premier League side Nzoia Sugar FC chairman following a club election conducted on Friday.

Mokua was at the helm of the Sugar Millers until he was replaced by Evans Kadenge in 2020. Kadenge, AFC Leopards legendary midfielder Joe Kadenge’s son joined Nzoia Sugar FC in 1983 as a player.

During his 40-year stay at the Sudi-based outfit, Evans Kadenge is arguably a living legend at the club so close to his heart.

After hanging his boots, Kadenge developed through the ranks of football management by starting out as team trainer and later as assistant coach.

In 2003, Nzoia Sugar FC participated in the CAF Club Championship with Kadenge as the assistant coach under the guidance of head coach Patrick Naggi.

Nzoia flew to Asmara, Eritrea and lost 2-0 against Red Sea, a defeat that resulted into Patrick Naggi’s resignation as the club’s head coach.

The particular vacant position at the helm of coaching department led to Kadenge heading the team ahead of their second leg tie staged at Mumias Complex on 15th February 2003.

Making good use of the home advantage, Nzoia convincingly won the match 2-0 in regulation time, thanks to goals from Bernard Mwalala and Mike Baraza. The fixture was then decided by penalty shootouts the home side won 4-3.

Nzoia proceeded to be drawn against Egyptian giants Zamalek with Kadenge still the head coach Kadenge and Vincent Sifuma his assistant. The side lost 3-0 at Cairo National Stadium, they were later trashed 4-1 at Mumias Complex in the return leg. 

Things became thick at Nzoia in 2005 and the club was disbanded due to financial constraints but roared back to life in 2012 with Kadenge appointed coach.

Citing pressure from work, Kadenge resigned from his position before being re-appointed as the team manager in 2016 with former and club legend Bernard Mwalala as the head coach.

Under the leadership of the pair, Nzoia Sugar were crowned the National Super League champions qualify to the Kenyan Premier League the same year (2016).

In 2020 he replaced Yapets Mokua as club chairman, a position he has held to his retirement in late July 2023.

Below is the line-up of the new Nzoia Sugar FC office;

Chairman-Yappets Mokua

Vice-chairman- Caleb Wesonga

Secretary-Anthony Fungututi

Treasurer – Maxwell Munyao

Assistant Secretary-Diana Musimbi

Organizing Secretary-Kevin Barasa

Assistant Organizing Secretary-Emily Naliaka Nana

Women Representative-Carolyne Ndukuyu

The club managed wrestled the big boys in Kenya’s top tier football and managed a well deserved fourth-place finish in the 2022/23 FKF Premier League season under the tutelage of Salim Babu.