Kenyan Football Legend Joe Kadenge Dies Aged 84

N

Nyakundi Report

Newsroom 1 min read

Primary source Kenyan Digest archive

This archive report was first published on 7 July 2019.

Kenyan football legend Joe Kadenge has left a lasting legacy in the world of sports. Born on an unknown date, Kadenge's life was marked by numerous achievements on and off the pitch.

On Sunday, July 7, 2019, Kadenge passed away at the Meridian Hospital in Nairobi after a lengthy battle with a stroke, as confirmed by his son Oscar Kadenge.

Regarded as the finest footballer ever produced by Kenya, Kadenge's impressive career spanned multiple decades. He played for Maragoli United and Abaluyha United, scoring the fastest ever goal in the Kenyan Premier League and winning the league in 1966.

After hanging up his boots in 1965, Kadenge made a comeback to football, guiding Harambee Stars to win the inaugural East and Central Africa Challenge Cup in 1966. He later stepped down as a player and went into coaching, serving as the national team's head coach in 1970.

As the legend who was popularly known with the slogan 'Kadenge na mpira', Kadenge's impact on Kenyan football will be remembered for generations to come.

Want to get the latest soccer news? Text 'SPORTS' to 22840.

Next read

Sports Fund CEO Nuh Ibrahim Exposed Over Refusal to Repay Ksh 2 Million Debt as Protest Looms at Talanta Plaza

24 July 2026 · 4 min read

Sports Fund CEO Nuh Ibrahim has been exposed over his refusal to repay a KSh2 million debt to a young businessman, with a peaceful...