Meet Homeboyz superfan, ‘commander’ Lumbumba

Bernard Ndong

Kakamega Homeboyz’ self-proclaimed No. 1 fan Collins Lumumba believes the club could be the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) dark horse this season after placing fourth on the standings going into the Christmas break.

Lumumba has been an ardent supporter of the club for the past decade and has taken his passion for the Western-based outfit nears fanatical levels.

“Baba mwenyezi mfalme wa mbingu na ardhi, sisi kama Kakamega Homeboyz tunaomba ushindi katika mechi ya leo, machozi ya jiwe hili hayataenda bure Mwenyezi Mungu.”

“Oh God, creator of heaven and earth, we pray for victory today. This stone shall not shed these tears in vain.”

It’s a fervent prayer that is recounted religiously by Lumumba outside the famous crying stone of Ilesi in Kakamega County each time his club has a home match at its backyard in Bukhungu.

Lumumba wakes up very early in the morning on match day on the outskirts of Kakamega town and commutes to the landmark for his pre-match routine.

“I wake up at seven o’clock in the morning, pray and head to the Masinde Muliro Grounds,” Lumumba told Citizen TV.

He firmly believes his prayers at the crying stone have been a good omen for the club.

“The symbol on the Homeboyz badge signifies a community that prays together. I believe these prayers lifted us to the derby victory against AFC Leopards and against Bandari. I remember when we lost by three goals to Tusker. I was too tired to attend it.”

Lumumba clearly lives and breathes Homeboyz. He has converted his home to an unofficial shrine that has the club’s colors left right and center. One would even mistake it for the club’s headquarters.

Lumumba is a former player and featured at the East African secondary schools games. He had a short stint at Kangemi united and realized he couldn’t earn a living playing the game and opted to be involved from the sidelines

He has an in-depth knowledge of the Homeboyz playing set up, can narrate their names off the top of his head and believes several players should be a regular feature in the national team.

But Lumumba who is also an ardent supporter of English premier league club Liverpool has another passion.

He works as an emcee at a local club and is involved in event management. He is itching for the holiday season to conclude so that he can attend his favorite club’s next match.