Emotions ran high yesterday as long-serving football administrator and former Secretary General of the then Football Kenya Federation (formerly Kenya Football Federation), Sammy Obingo, was laid to rest at Eshitukhumi Village, Mumias West, Kakamega County.

Mourners eulogised him as a mentor and a leader who transformed the country’s football and contributed to its growth.​

His son, Michael Anyanzwa, described him as a man who loved education and his family.

“My father had a passion for football, and he made us become lovers of soccer even though we were not that fanatic. However, he loved education and his family, and he made sure we got enough education and we never lacked anything,” said Anyanzwa.​

His last-born daughter, Felisters Omulindi, described his death as a big loss for the family.​

Standard Group Chief Executive Editor, Chaacha Mwita, who is the son-in-law of the late, described him as a role model, a great leader, and a humble man who served the community.

“Obingo was not just my father-in-law but my father, friend, and role model. He changed my life for good reason,” said Chaacha.

He eulogised Obingo as a humble man and a true servant who served the community and nation wholeheartedly.

“He was undoubtedly the best of his time, and he achieved a lot. He was a person who loved serving the community and took responsibility because he never interfered with other people’s affairs.”​

Joseph Masiga, who spoke on behalf of the football legends, attributed their success in sports development to Obingo’s compassion, exemplary leadership, and mentorship skills.

“Obingo was a great leader who mentored players on and off the pitch and wanted Kenyan football to grow.

‘‘I remember in 1987, I had stopped playing football and moved to the United Kingdom to study as a dentist, and Obingo was generous and he bought me a ticket to witness my brother’s wedding and that was our legend,” said Masiga.

He added, “When I was in the university, he encouraged me to play and also to study, and I became a dentist, and that is how I benefited from Obingo.”​

Masiga attributed the existence of AFC Leopards in the Kenyan Premier League to Obingo, vowing to ensure football stays afloat in honour of the late.

“I remember the year AFC Leopards was being relegated, Obingo enabled us to stay up, and we are still up. We have lost a great leader and great man who the country will forever miss due to his knowledge in sports development and nurturing of talent,” said Masiga.​

The legends claimed that it was during Obingo’s tenure that football prospered in the country and earned Kenya a household name in football on the global map.​

Obingo was born in 1949 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Nairobi in 1974.

He worked briefly for Twiga Chemicals before joining Coates Brothers Ltd.

He also held a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the United Kingdom.​

Obingo’s love for football started in 1984 when he ran for the position of Secretary General in KFF’s Nairobi branch and won.

In 1985, Obingo was elected KFF’s Nairobi branch chairman and a year later in 1986, he was voted in as the federation’s National Secretary General, a position he held until 1996 when his team lost to that of Peter Kenneth and Sam Nyamweya.​

He later shifted focus to serve as Secretary General of the regional Confederation of East and Central Football Associations (Cecafa) from 1990 to 1999.​

In 2000, Obingo took a sabbatical leave from football management, to serve as a General Manager of Kenya Cricket Association from 2004 to 2006 under the leadership of Jimmy Rayani and Sharad Ghai in 2010-2011.​

One of his major achievements was when, under his leadership, Kenya hosted the All-Africa Games Football Competition for the first time.

Furthermore, in 1987, Kenya reached the final of the All Africa Games, and Gor Mahia won the Africa Cup Winners Cup the same year.

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, in 19986 AFC Leopards was dominant in African Football reaching the semi-finals of the champions league, Tusker FC by then Kenya Breweries FC reached the final of the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1993.

Obingo passed on at the Mumias Level 4 hospital on Tuesday last week after he fell off a motorcycle at the age of 77.

According to the family spokesman, Abnery Aswani, Obingo attended the classroom construction ground-breaking ceremony at the Mumias Township Primary School, where he was the chairperson.