Thika’s name has long been associated with factories, education and vibrant commerce. But beneath the humming of industrial machines and the aroma of roasting coffee, a rich football legacy has quietly thrived for over five decades.
From company-sponsored sides in the 1970s to modern Premier League contenders, Thika’s football story is one of grit, talent and community passion.
š 1970s–1980s: The Era of Kenya Toray Mills (Later KTM FC)
Football in Thika took a professional shape in the 1970s with the formation of Kenya Toray Mills FC, a team owned by the state-run Kenya Toray Mills a textile factory co-owned with Japan’s Toray Industries. As the factory grew, so did its football team. When the company rebranded to Kenya Textile Mills, the club too adopted the new identity: KTM FC.
KTM quickly became a football powerhouse in the national league, competing fiercely in the Kenya National Football League (the top division of the era).
The team’s players were both factory workers and athletes earning salaries and playing for pride, passion, and purpose.
⚽ Style and Spirit
KTM FC played a physical but exciting brand of football. Their matches at Thika Municipal Stadium drew fans from all corners of town Makongeni, Majengo, Ofafa, Kiandutu, and Biafra. The club was known for disciplined training, structure, and grooming talent that often earned call-ups to the Harambee Stars.
KTM reached the top six in multiple seasons and were regular contenders in the Moi Golden Cup, playing against national giants like AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia, and Re-Union.
š Iconic Players
KTM FC boasted some of the most exciting names of its time:
• Edward Bulungu – Fast and creative winger, vital to KTM’s attacking strategy.
• James “Nyende” Nandwa – Prolific forward, later became a respected coach of Harambee Stars.
• Paul Yongo – Ugandan midfield maestro with elite vision and control.
• Nahashon Mahila – Electric winger, a nightmare for defenders.
• Hussein Kheri – Dominant central midfielder, later an iconic Kenyan coach.
• Joseph Kimani – Consistent forward and fan favorite.
• Sammy Taabu – Reliable defender.
• Shaldon Olimba, Oluoch Kanindo, George “Fundi” Ouma, Peter Odiro, and Moses “Zamalek” Mugo also lit up the league.
⛔ Decline and Collapse
When Kenya Textiles Mills shut down, KTM FC lost its financial backbone. The club disbanded in the mid-1990s, leaving a deep void in Thika’s football scene.
š 1990s–Early 2000s: The Medisca FC Chapter
As KTM faded, another Thika-based team rose quietly in the background Medisca FC, sponsored by a local pharmaceutical firm.
Medisca FC competed in the lower divisions and provincial leagues. While not as powerful or famous as KTM, Medisca became a vital link in the football ecosystem offering local youth a competitive platform and grooming raw talent from Thika’s streets and estates.
The team was known for its aggressive style of play and commitment to local players, many of whom later joined Thika United and Bidco United. However, the club eventually fizzled out in the early 2000s due to limited sponsorship.
šµ 2000–2017: The Rise and Fall of Thika United FC
At the dawn of the new millennium, a new force emerged Thika United FC, originally founded as Brookside FC and sponsored by Brookside Dairies.
Thika United rose quickly through the ranks:
• 2001–2003: Dominated Division One and earned promotion to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).
• 2004–2012: Established as a top-tier side, often finishing in the top five. The club was admired for its professionalism and focus on youth development.
• 2013–2015: Maintained mid-table status but began to struggle with sponsorship and player retention.
š Star Players
Thika United produced several players who went on to play for Harambee Stars and clubs across Africa, among them:
• Francis Kahata – Midfield magician, later starred for Gor Mahia, Simba SC, and the national team.
• Dennis Odhiambo – Defensive midfield powerhouse, earned dozens of national caps.
• Joel Bataro (Goalkeeper) – Safe hands in goal.
• Cliff Nyakeya, Kevin “Ade” Otieno – Electric attackers who made national headlines.
• Anthony Mathenge – A skilled midfielder who represented both Thika United and Harambee Stars, known for his creativity and game intelligence.
⚠️ Financial Struggles and Relegation
By 2017, Thika United’s fortunes had dipped. The club narrowly avoided relegation in a playoff but could not hold on in 2018.
It was relegated from the KPL and later went dormant.
š 2000s–Present: Bidco United FC – The New Flag Bearers
Bidco United FC, sponsored by Bidco Africa, began in the early 2000s and gradually built a solid football structure. They played in the lower divisions for years, investing in youth and infrastructure.
š Premier League Promotion
• 2019/2020: Bidco United earned promotion to the Kenyan Premier League.
• 2020–Present: Competing in top flight, the team has held its own against the likes of Gor Mahia and Tusker FC.
Their matches at Thika Sub-County Stadium are now a focal point of local football life, rekindling the community passion once held for KTM and Thika United.
Bidco United continues to represent Thika in top-flight football, showing consistent performance and holding their own against more established clubs.
š Notable Players
• Stephen Waruru – Veteran striker, former Ulinzi Stars hero.
• Peter Nzuki – Dynamic midfielder with experience from Tusker.
Bidco United is admired for its professionalism and a growing youth recruitment system.
š£ The Thika Football Fanbase
From the days of KTM to Bidco, one constant has been the passionate support of the people: Local fans have always shown up in their numbers and kept the chants alive.
š Final Whistle: The Legacy Continues
Football in Thika is deeply loved. Fans have always been part of the game whether it’s walking to the stadium on match days or even playing their part in supporting upcoming talents.
From KTM’s industrial roots, to Medisca’s grassroots spirit, to Thika United’s youthful revolution, and now Bidco United’s professional promise, Thika town has produced legends, nurtured talent and offered a football culture grounded in unity and hope.
Though clubs have come and gone, the soul of football in Thika remains strong ready for the next era and still dreaming big. While the town currently has only one team (Bidco United) in the top tier, the spirit of football in Thika is far from dead.
With proper investment in youth, improved infrastructure at Thika Sub-County Stadium, and more corporate involvement, Thika can become a football powerhouse once again.
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