Giving Back: Harambee Stars Defender Joseph Okumu Donates Van To His Childhood Club

• Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu generously donated a football van to Chemelil Youth Football Club
• The van handover took place during a prayer session and the unveiling of a partnership program between the club and Chemelil Sugar Company
• Okumu's father, Hillary Ouma, conveyed the Reims player's donation, expressing gratitude for his son's football beginnings at the club
• Okumu highlighted that the van would assist Chemelil Youth FC in fulfilling their fixtures in the Kisumu County league

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kisumu - Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu has donated a football van to Chemelil Youth Football Club.

The French Ligue 1-based player donated the van during a prayer session and unveiling of a partnership programme between Chemelil Youth FC and Chemelil Sugar Company.

Okumu's father, Hillary Ouma, delivered the Reims player's donation in appreciation of having started his career at the club.

In his message, the Kenyan international said the van would help the team honour their matches in the Kisumu County league.

"It is an appreciation of the fact that his football career started at this club, popularly known as Guza Guza, among Chemelil Sugar football fraternity fans," Ouma stated.

Okumu's illustrious football career

The Harambee Stars defender developed his skills at Kakamega High School, where he trained with the Green Commandos side.

Okumu later signed his first professional contract with former Kenyan Premier League side Chemelil Sugar, Business Daily reports.

Former Kenyan defender Musa Otieno handed Okumu a call-up to the U23 Kenya national football team and a referral to South Africa, where he joined Free State Stars.

In August 2018, Okumu signed for USL Championship side Real Monarchs and a year later, he transferred to the Swedish Allsvenskan side IF Elfsborg.

The young player's prospects continued to rise, and in 2021, he signed for Belgian club Gent before moving to the French club Reims in July 2023.