Kenya Premier League side Kakamega Homeboyz have announced the death of their defender, Silas Abungana, who died from head injuries sustained in an attack on Tuesday night.
Sources indicate that the defender was allegedly attacked by a family member following a dispute, and the suspect is reportedly still at large. The motive for the attack remains unclear.
The club confirmed Abungana’s death on Thursday morning in an official statement, revealing that the player passed away shortly before midnight on Wednesday while receiving treatment at Kakamega County General Hospital.
Homeboyz stated that the defender had been receiving treatment for serious head injuries suffered during the shocking attack, which has left the club, his family, and the wider football community in mourning.
“The club confirms that Silas passed away a few minutes before midnight on Wednesday, 4 February, while receiving treatment at Kakamega County General Hospital, after succumbing to head injuries sustained during an attack on Tuesday night, 3 February,” the club said in a statement.
The club has appealed for privacy for Abungana’s family and loved ones as they come to terms with their loss, adding that further communication will be issued later.
“During this incredibly difficult time, we respectfully request privacy for Silas’ family, teammates, friends, and club officials as we come to terms with this unimaginable loss. The club will issue further communication in due course,” the statement added.
AFC Leopards chairman Bonface Ambani reacted to the incident, saying: “The Kenyan football fraternity wakes up to the shocking news of the passing of Silas Abungana, Kakamega Homeboyz defender. I just had a word with the Homeboyz president and it’s shocking under what circumstances the boy died.
“It’s quite sad. A vibrant young man, shaping his football career, his younger brother, just ended it. He was hit by a blunt object that caused blood clots in the brain. Rest in peace, young man. To Kakamega Homeboyz, and the entire Kenyan football fraternity at large, receive my heartfelt condolences.”
Abungana’s death comes just days after he played the full 90 minutes in Kakamega Homeboyz’s FKF Premier League match against Mara Sugar last Saturday.
The full-back joined Homeboyz in August 2023, ahead of the current season, and quickly became a key member of the squad under head coach Patrick Odhiambo.
Before joining Homeboyz, Abungana played for Shabana FC and Gucha Stars. He was part of the Shabana side that secured promotion to the FKF Premier League in 2023.
He left Shabana in January 2024 and later rejoined his former coach, Sammy Okoth, at Gucha Stars, helping the club secure promotion to the National Super League (NSL) for the 2024/25 season before moving to Homeboyz.
