Nick Mwendwa Reveals Kariobangi Sharks Cost Ksh50 Million a Year

Former FKF president Nick Mwendwa has revealed that running Kariobangi Sharks costs about Ksh50 million every year, giving a rare look at the financial reality of operating a top-flight club in Kenya.

What Mwendwa said

In an interview with Mozzart Sport, Mwendwa said the club does not make a profit and depends heavily on financial support from its owners. He said anyone thinking about investing in football must understand the costs before getting involved.

Where the money goes

Behind every matchday are player salaries, technical staff, transport, training facilities, medical care, accommodation, equipment and administration. Sharks also invest in developing young players, a model that benefits Kenyan football but still needs money and patience.

Kenyan football's business problem

Most Kenyan clubs survive on owners, sponsors, county governments or short-term partnerships. Ticket sales, broadcasting income and merchandise are still small, which makes it hard for clubs to become self-sustaining. Other privately backed clubs include Kakamega Homeboyz (Cleophas Shimanyula), Murang'a SEAL (Robert Macharia) and Nairobi United, linked to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

Since Mwendwa's comments, Sharks have been relegated to the National Super League after losing a promotion-relegation playoff to Mombasa United, which will add further financial pressure.

What clubs can do

Kenyan clubs need stronger commercial systems: better matchday experiences to attract fans, professional marketing, merchandise, digital content and long-term sponsorship deals. A well-run league with reliable fixtures also makes clubs more attractive to investors.

How Kariobangi Sharks began

Kariobangi Sharks started in 2000 as a youth project rather than a business. According to the club's history, Nick Mwendwa began supporting a group of young players who trained on the basketball court at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kariobangi, paying for basics such as balls and boots and organising weekend training. The team was first known as Kariobangi Sportive before taking the Sharks name.

The project grew into a competitive club. Sharks won promotion to the top flight with a 1-0 victory over Nzoia Sugar in December 2016 and played their first Kenyan Premier League season in 2017.

What the money has bought

For a club without a huge fan base, Sharks achieved a lot in a short time:

• 2018 FKF Shield (then the SportPesa Shield) champions
• 2018 Kenyan Super Cup winners, beating Gor Mahia 1-0
• 2019 SportPesa Super Cup winners, beating Bandari 1-0
• A 2019 friendly win over English Premier League side Everton on penalties

The club also became known for giving young, unknown players real minutes. Masoud Juma finished as the league's top scorer in 2017 with 17 goals, and Erick Kapaito topped the scoring charts in 2018 and again in 2020/21. That reputation for developing talent is part of what the Ksh50 million a year pays for.

Is Ksh50 million a lot?

Ksh50 million a year works out at a little over Ksh4 million a month. For a top-flight squad of 25 to 30 players plus coaches, medical staff and administrators, that is a modest budget by African standards, but it is a very large commitment for a private owner when gate income and broadcast money are small. Without new sponsors, that gap has to be covered every season.

What relegation changes

Dropping to the National Super League makes the numbers harder. There is less television exposure, smaller crowds and less interest from sponsors, while many costs, such as salaries, travel and training, stay similar. Clubs in this position often have to cut spending, sell players or rely even more on their owners.

Sharks' story is a useful lesson for anyone thinking about investing in Kenyan football: a club can be well run and successful on the pitch and still lose money every year unless the league grows its commercial income.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to run Kariobangi Sharks?

According to Nick Mwendwa, about Ksh50 million a year.

Which league are Kariobangi Sharks in?

Kariobangi Sharks were relegated to the National Super League for the 2026/27 season after losing the playoff to Mombasa United.