My Experience in Albania: The Story of Harambee Starlets Midfielder Lorna Nyarinda Nyabuto

When talented Harambee Starlets midfielder Lorna Nyarinda Nyabuto received the offer to play internationally, she, like many local footballers, believed her life trajectory would take a positive turn. She joined FK Apolonia in Albania, where she enjoyed an illustrious season, helping her team clinch the Albania Super Cup and secure a second-place finish in the league, falling short of winning the Kampionati i Femrave (Albania’s top-tier league) by just 3 points.

However, speaking to KEFWA Media after struggling to return home at the end of the season, Lorna opened up about the harrowing experiences she endured despite the professional accolades.

Known for her prowess on the pitch, which elevated her talent from Sunderland Samba FC, Kibera Soccer Women FC, Vihiga Queens Football Club, and Thika Queens, Lorna has also been an outspoken athlete, using her voice to bring a positive influence to the community.

Some of the challenges she faced included racism, late payments, and failure to honor contract agreements.

“Life taught me when it is necessary to open up and talk about some things so that people might understand what it took for you to be where you were and what you were going through. All the pain, struggles, and sorrows, I didn’t take that for granted,” Lorna revealed.

Lorna expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play at FK Apolonia but admitted the experience was not worth savoring.

“Even when I was not feeling well, I was still forced to be at the pitch. Racism hinders you from performing at your best because you are always hunted or haunted. It was also challenging to survive because, unlike many teams that help you with places to eat or cook comfortably, I had to go to the market for those things. Now, imagine late payments coming even after 3 months sometimes, in a foreign country—it is distressing for sure,” narrated Lorna.

She also did not receive a copy of her contract, and attempts to communicate with the lawyer proved futile.

When things began to go sour at the end of the season, she reached out to KEFWA, the union protecting the rights and welfare of professional football players in Kenya. KEFWA organized her travel back home and followed up on her case with the club and the governing body, FIFPRO.

“It has been a few weeks now since I came back home and have been healing from the trauma. Many teams are looking for my signature, but for now, I do not want to rush into making any decision on my future. After all the dust has settled, I will be able to make a sound judgment,” she noted, urging professional football players in Kenya to register as Kenya Footballers Welfare Association members.

“I would like to urge fellow professional football players to register under the KEFWA umbrella to enjoy benefits, including the legal services I got for free by being an active member. Also, players should ensure they have a copy of their contract agreements with clubs and, where possible, involve a lawyer or trusted agent.

For instance, I signed a year with FK Apolonia and didn’t want to extend the contract, yet they wanted to forcibly keep me. Be careful because, with ignorance, you never know what you are signing,” Lorna revealed.

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