Lorna Nyarinda: The story of former Harambee Starlets midfielder’s contractual saga, pain and tears on an international soccer field in Albania

When talented former Harambee Starlets midfielder Lorna Nyarinda Nyabuto received an offer to play international football, she never had second thoughts about the contract, and just as many local footballers, she knew her career’s trajectory would take a better angle.

Nyarinda was offered and signed a one-year contract to play for FK Apolonia Fier in the Albanian top-tier league for one season.

For the better part of the season, she enjoyed an illustrious performance which helped her team not only to clinch the Albania Super Cup, but also secure a second-place finish in the league, falling short of winning the Kampionati i Femrave, Albania’s top-tier league, by just three points.

However, speaking to Kenya Footballers Welfare Association Media about her experience after struggling to return home at the end of the season, Lorna opened her heart and revealed the hidden tales of distressing experiences she went through in the country located on the Southeastern Europe’s Balkan Peninsula.

She disclosed that the devil lied in details of her contract, especially on the clause stating that payments could be delayed.

This, she explains, proved a challenge when she tried to return home after the end of the season, as she did not have money for airfare since the club owed her. Other challenges she encountered as a result include failure by the club to honor some of the contractual agreements and racism.

Nyarinda is now using her voice to bring positive influence in the community, as she also warns her Kenyan counterparts seeking greener pastures overseas to be cautious of contractual manipulation.

“When you are given a contract make sure you can read it. Understand the clauses to avoid some of the issues I faced while in Albania,” said Nyarinda on her Facebook page.

“When you fail to read the contract properly you may end up being a jailbird for serving a contract that does not exist or extend your contract unknowingly,” she added.

Nyarinda, known for her prowess especially in the midfield, which saw her rise from Sunderland Samba FC, Kibera Soccer Women FC, Vihiga Queens FC and Thika Queens (now Kenya Police Bullets), is rumored to be on her return to the police side ahead of next season.

In addition, she said she felt unappreciated on and off the field by the club management and teammates.

“I want to thank Kenya Footballers Welfare Association and Chris Osale. Were it not for their support, I would not have returned home in Kenya,” she said.

Nyarinda said she had put a lot of effort in looking for foreign football clubs while at Vihiga Queens, but sadly, things never worked out the way she had hoped.

“I travelled to Albania to join a top team. I signed a contract hoping to change my fortunes,” Nyarinda stated on her social media page.

According to her, she is grateful for the opportunity to have played at FK Apolonia Fier, but the experience is not one to remember.