Michael ‘Mike’ Baraza, a name synonymous with a relentless torment of goalkeepers during his playing days as a Kenyan international, finds himself enrolled at the Thick School of Medical and health Sciences, credit to Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA).  Pursuing a certificate in Community Social Work, Baraza appears to have settled in as he goes through the first steps of a transitioning into life after football. ‘’I’m grateful to have gotten this opportunity to enhance this knowledge that I already have.,’’ says a jovial Baraza. 

Baraza retired, one would say, prematurely from football while playing for Western Stima FC. Even though they were the sunset years of his career, many fans believed he still had more to offer from his lethal left boot.  His father Sammy Nyongesa’s illness however, forced him to cut short his career in order to take take care of the then ageing former Kenyan international and coach. As fate would have it, the senior Nyongesa never made it and this took a toll on Baraza who later struggled to make a comeback to the footballing scene. KEFWA, under the leadership of president James Situma, tracked him down earlier in the year at his rural home in Moi’s bridge.  ‘’The KEFWA team reached out to me and we got into a conversation. Since that moment they have been able to hold my hand and taken me through various processes and with that I have been able to enhance my skills. All thanks goes to KEFWA management and the effort they have put in is not something that I can take lightly,’’ continues Baraza who appeared 25 times for the national team Harambee Stars scoring five times.  He explains why he chose social work as a starting point in his post-football education.  ‘’Having been in the community and represented people at a point in time when I was still playing. Theres are some areas in which I think social work can help create awareness in terms of health and sports. I guess this course puts me in good standing regarding those two elements,’’ he adds.  His chequered footballing career had him makes stops at Chemelil Sugar, Nzoia Sugar, Ulinzi Stars, AFC Leopards and eventually Western Stima, in between- a handful of professional stints abroad with the most famous ones being with the Tanzanian giants Simba and Azam Sports Clubs.  ‘’I hope my journey can be an inspiration to all athletes out there. In a nutshell it’s a full circle for me. Having played all over, and then coming back to a humble setting like this where you get some education and enhance the skills that I didn’t enhance back in the day. There are still many athletes out there who need such kind of a set-up and there is hope that one day I’ll be able to impact in the society,’’ concludes Baraza.  Anne Kimani is the Baraza’s principal at the school, and as much as she lauds KEFWA’s efforts at guiding former footballers into various career pathways, she believes more can be done and assures that her school is open for plenty more athletes.  ‘’I take this opportunity to thank the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association for finding it fit to bring some of their sponsored players to our institution because they are giving the footballers and opportunity to get an education and also to be well equipped with knowledge and by the time this student is done with their course at Thick School of Medical and health Sciences, I believe by the time they are retiring from football, they will have a career. They will also be able to give back to the community. We are open to guiding to you to the career path you’d wish to take as an individual,’’ says Mrs. Kimani.  Mike’s spell with the national team run just under a decade, making his debut for the Harambee Stars in 2004 against Uganda Cranes and playing a total of 25 matches finishing with Burundi in 2013. He mustered 5 goals for the flag.