Kenya Police’s David Owino still harbours hope of playing abroad after botched move to Taiwan

If things had gone well in January this year, Kenya Police defender David Owino would currently be plying his trade for reigning Taiwan Football Premier League champions Tainan City FC.

However, his move fell through at the last minute prompting him to return to Kenya Police FC who are currently fourth in the 2023/24 FKF Pemier League season with 39 points from 24 matches.

Despite his botched move to the Asian club, Owino still harbours hope of playing abroad one day.

“It is the dream of every Kenyan player to play abroad one day and I have not given up on my dream,” Owino told The Eastleigh Voice in an interview.

“My move to Taiwan was close to materializing last time and I hope that another opportunity comes up in June for me to get it (the move to Tainan City) done,” Owino added.

Owino explained that his moved closed because as a Police officer, there is a clearance procedure he has to follow before he can be allowed to move to a club outside the country.

“I am an employee of the National Police Service with my base being Vigilance House. As such, the procedure I have to follow before leaving the National Police Service so as to allow me to move a club abroad. I may have another chance to complete the move in June and, if I do what is required, then Kenya Police can permit to transfer to the Taiwanese club,” Owino said.

The former Mathare United defender also rubbished claims that Kenya Police FC had asked for a deposit of Ksh 1 million so that he can be released from his contract and be allowed to join Tainan City.

“No such thing happened. People should stop making such speculations. Those are lies. I was not asked to deposit any money to secure my release,” Owino stated.

While Owino continues to work hard towards securing a move abroad at the next earliest opportunity, he hopes that this season will end with silverware for Kenya Police. Despite the club trailing league leaders by Gor Mahia by 11 points with 10 matches to go, Owino believes that they have sufficient to mount a comeback.

“The season started with Kenya Police as heavy favourites to win the league because of the signings we made to strengthen our squad. However, we did not get the start that we wanted but with 10 matches to go and the form we are in right now, we believe we still have a chance of winning the league. There are still 10 matches to go and anything can happen so we will just make sure we keep doing our part,” Owino said.

“Furthermore, we are still in the FKF Cup and that gives us a chance to battle for a chance to represent the country in the CAF Confederations Cup,” he added.

The FKF Cup remains Kenya Police’s most realistic chance for silverware this season as they are drawn to face Sofapaka in the quarterfinals. Victory against Batoto ba Mungu will see them square it out with AFC Leopards or Compel for a chance to contest in their first ever domestic cup final.

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Kenya Police has so far be drawn at home in all their FKF Cup matches this season and look set to maintain that trend in the semifinals. While Owino appreciates that the luck of the draw has been in their favour, he said that such fortune only matters if they win their matches.

“Of course we have been lucky to be drawn at home in all our FKF Cup matches this season. Home advantage plays a big role and we just have to make it count because the team coming to play is also looking for a win,” Owino said.

As he holds on to his dream of playing abroad as well as winning the league and FKF Cup with Kenya Police, Owino is also working towards returning to the national team set up.

“I have been away from the national team for quite some time. I know what the Engin Firat expects of a player in my position and I am working hard towards to making the next squad,” Owino said.

David Owino is expected to feature for Kenya Police on Sunday as they take on Talanta.