Unlikely millionaire: Highest paid Kenyan is only 25

Victor Wanyama will be the man of the moment today at Capital Club in Westlands, where MultiChoice Kenya, through SuperSport, will host his homecoming reception from 5:30PM. The event has been organised to welcome the international football sensation home after his successful move to Tottenham Hostspurs. Business Today looks at his changing fortunes and what it means for football in Kenya.

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hile playing at Southampton FC, it could only take the Kenyan midfielder 35 days or less to make money, good enough for a trip to space. The former Celtic and Southampton player has joined Premier League side Tottenham Hotspurs at a fee close Ksh1.5 billion up from a previous four million euros from Scottish side Celtic.

In his career at The Saints (Southampton), Mugubi was not doing so badly in terms of earnings, red cards notwithstanding, according to credible sources overseas. It is reported that the player pocketed 40,000 European pounds every week, an equivalent of Ksh4.4 million in seven days thus making over half a million shillings in one day. But now he can make Ksh1 million in a day, making him arguably the highest paid Kenyan.




Now with the buying fee slightly higher, it is almost likely that Victor Wanyama’s journey from Muthurwa to Glasgow through Hampshire and now to London is at its peak and the earnings could hit a record high. The business of sports is seemingly getting better for the ‘Lion of Muthurwa’ whose talent mints millions in a turn of day.

Victor Wanyama had only one year left on his contract at Southampton and the club decided to cash in on the 24-year-old amid wavering speculations over his future. Wanyama made 85 league appearances for the south-coast club, scoring four goals along the way but earned more red cards than any other Premier League player last season.

Victor Wanyama, the Lion of Muthurwa, moved to Hostspurs in historic Ksh1.6 billion deal.
Victor Wanyama, the Lion of Muthurwa, moved to Hostspurs in historic Ksh1.6 billion deal.

Kenya Premier League side AFC Leopards, a club Wanyama evidently holds dearly to his heart can hope for more goodies to come their way from time to time.  He was previously reported to have bought kits for the then struggling Ingwe.

Wanyama became the first ever-Kenyan player to score let alone play in the UEFA Champions League when he scored the first goal in Celtic’s 2–1 win over Barcelona November 2012. And could make good use of a similar opportunity again as he joins Tottenham in their improbable Champions League mission next season.

SEE ALSO >>  Why richest Kenyans plan to move abroad

“I write to you with a heavy heart to announce that I will be leaving Southampton Football Club,” he said in an open letter. “As you can imagine it is very emotional for me to say goodbye to the club that gave me the chance to be the first Kenyan to play in Premier League. “I will never forget my time in Southampton Football Club. I will keep the club forever in my heart.” Wanyama added.

After all is said and not done, and Victor Wanyama continues to live his golden dreams, it becomes more evident that sports is, just like any other moneyed venture, a business.

He may as well have reduced the number of days he could work before affording an Audi R8. His life however is that of humility. Interestingly, it could only take him, Victor Wanyama close to 460 days of work to provide clean water for drinking to an estimated one million people around the world. – Football pays and it pays well!



NEXT READ

> Two Kenyans who are richer than President Uhuru

> Vimal Shah ranked richest man in East Africa

> Research shows Kenyans are richer than Ugandans

 

Latest

SasaPay To “Pay SMEs To Get Paid” Via New Cash-Back Model

SasaPay has introduced a new cash-back model designed to...

Gor Mahia Fan Who Correctly Predicted 15 Out of 17 Games Wins Millions

The 30-year-old, also an avid follower of English Premier League giants Manchester United, came close to the grand prize of Ksh334,783,843 SportPesa Jackpot.

In Race for African Leadership Award, Ruto Faces Tough Opposition

Among the contenders of the prestigious African of the Year award is Kenya’s President William Ruto, who will be battling it out with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afrexim Bank.

Transforming Financial Inclusion: The Impact of M-Pesa in Kenya and Beyond 

Discover the profound impact of M-Pesa on financial inclusion in Kenya and beyond. Explore how this innovative mobile service revolutionizes transactions and shapes the future of finance globally.

Follow Us

Newsletter

Don't miss

Safaricom To Power Tusker OktobaFest Beer Festival

Safaricom’s involvement in OktobaFest as a technology and payments partner will focus on fostering seamless in-festival connectivity, empowering the youth and Gen Z community through Safaricom Hook, and powering digital payments through M-PESA.

Music Producers Launch Organization To Streamline Recording Industry

Recording Industry of Kenya (RIKE) was launched on 9th October 2023. Registered in 2022 as a not-for-profit organization, RIKE aims to promote the collective interests of producers of sound recordings in the country.

Nairobi’s Hero Bar Listed Among World’s 50 Best Bars

World Best Bars: Hero Bar in Nairobi continues to climb the list, moving up six places to No.62 and Johannesburg’s Sin + Tax comes in at No.94. Dubai new entry Ergo is at No.69 and Melbourne’s Byrdi has re-entered the list at No.61.

Kenyan DJs Face Off In Smirnoff Battle Of The Beats Season 3

The Smirnoff Battle of the Beats Season 3, a DJ competition, is poised to unleash an unprecedented musical frenzy countrywide.

The Highs And Lows Of Betty Kyallo, Sisters Show As Season 2 Ends

Kyallo Kulture has always been, above all, about sisterhood, and in Season 2 we have witnessed the charm of it - the ups that gave us wholesome moments as the sisters led by Betty Kyallo spent time together.

DStv Beats CNN, BBC To Become Most Admired Media Outlet In Africa

DStv, MultiChoice Group’s leading broadcast service, has been named...

MultiChoice Revises Subscription Fees For DStv, GOtv

MultiChoice has announced price adjustments on some of their...

Octopizzo: How I Make My Money

"I've been doing this for 12, 13 years. It reaches a point where you no longer need to prove that you can make a hit record," he stated.

New Spotify EQUAL Artist Qing Madi Talks Music and Dreams

Heavily influenced by her cultural background and the lyrical arrangements of Kendrick Lamar, the versatile Nigerian prodigy is shaping the future of music with her unique genre-bending fusion of Afrobeats, Pop, Soul and R&B.

Bob Collymore Immortalized in New Festival

The late Collymore was famous for his love for jazz and even initiated the Safaricom Jazz Festival, which saw several of the world's biggest Jazz artists perform in Nairobi.
COLLINS OGUTU
COLLINS OGUTUhttp://Businesstoday.co.ke
The writer, a correspondent with Business Today, is a football commentator and finds the money factor in the game. Email him at: [email protected]

SasaPay To “Pay SMEs To Get Paid” Via New Cash-Back Model

SasaPay has introduced a new cash-back model designed to empower business owners to reduce costs and bolster profitability by receiving compensation for collecting payments...

Gor Mahia Fan Who Correctly Predicted 15 Out of 17 Games Wins Millions

The 30-year-old, also an avid follower of English Premier League giants Manchester United, came close to the grand prize of Ksh334,783,843 SportPesa Jackpot.

In Race for African Leadership Award, Ruto Faces Tough Opposition

Among the contenders of the prestigious African of the Year award is Kenya’s President William Ruto, who will be battling it out with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afrexim Bank.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here