Kenyan midfielder Mohammed Bajaber is drawing admiring glances far beyond the FKF Premier League after a breakout campaign with Kenya Police and a headline‑grabbing start to his international career. National team head coach Benni McCarthy the former UEFA Champions League winner with Porto and ex‑Manchester United assistant believes the 22‑year‑old will not remain in the domestic league for long, insisting overseas clubs are already monitoring him.
Bajaber joined Kenya Police from Nairobi City Stars in January in a deal reported at over 1 million Kenyan shillings and quickly justified the investment. Six league goals, clutch late‑season performances and composure in midfield helped drive Police to the FKF Premier League title. He then announced himself to a wider audience in March, blasting a superb debut goal in a 3‑3 draw against Gambia that turbo‑charged his reputation.
An untimely injury halted his momentum and ruled him out of recent friendlies versus Chad, but McCarthy is easing him back with a tightly managed program. During an open session at Kasarani Annex, Bajaber trained separately at controlled intensity joining the group for technical phases before being pulled once contact levels rose. The objective: have one of Kenya’s most influential young players fully ready for August’s African Nations Championship (CHAN). The squad will sharpen through the CECAFA Four Nations Tournament in Arusha, which doubles as a competitive tune‑up.
“He’s improved…you give them every opportunity to be available because you can’t afford to lose players like that,” McCarthy said, adding that the medical and performance staff are “safeguarding him” for CHAN.
So what makes Bajaber such a hot commodity? Coaches highlight his bravery on the ball, line‑breaking carries, progressive passing and relentless two‑way engine. He embraces pressure, competes in duels and manages tempo with surprising maturity traits that translate well to stepping‑stone European leagues in Belgium, Scandinavia or Portugal.
McCarthy has meanwhile trimmed his provisional group, omitting Staphod Odhiambo, Yakeen Mutheli, Kelly Madada and Tusker goalkeeper Brian Opondo, while stressing they remain in the conversation for future call‑ups, including looming World Cup qualifiers. For now, though, the spotlight rests squarely on Bajaber a tenacious, ambitious midfielder whose rise suggests the local league may be only a brief stop on a much larger journey.
