Kariobangi Sharks and Kenya Under-18 midfielder, Humphrey Aroko, has chosen to focus on his football career rather than pursuing university education for now.
Aroko, who scored a C+ of 48 points in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination from Highway Secondary School in Nairobi, is close to securing a move to Swedish top-tier club Allmänna Idrottsklubben (AIK) Fotboll.
He left Kenya on Sunday, arrived in Sweden on Monday, and joined the team for a two-week pre-season camp in Spain on Tuesday ahead of the new season starting in March.
“I am fully focused on my football career and have no plans to attend university; that can wait. I have devoted myself entirely to football now,” Aroko, 17, told Nation Sport on Tuesday from Spain.
“No paperwork has been done since I was invited for trials with the team. If the deal materialises, I will officially join the team. I am hopeful for the best—my dream is to play professional football in Europe,” said Aroko, who is inspired by Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga.
His former principal, Mr Patrick Irungu, had previously expressed a desire to guide him in selecting a university course, noting his strong performance in Biology and Mathematics where he scored B in both subjects.
“Given his performance in sciences and aspirations in sports, I suggest he considers Sports Medicine,” Irungu said.
Humphrey Aroko.
Photo credit: Pool
He also praised Aroko’s discipline and determination, which led to his admission despite his earlier struggles in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams where he scored 195 marks in 2020.
Aroko joined the Kariobangi Sharks Youth Academy at 11 years old before being promoted to the senior team in 2022. He later signed a four-year professional contract with the team under coach William Muluya.
He made his Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) starting debut on January 12 in the ‘slum derby’ against Mathare United, which ended in a 0-0 draw at Dandora Stadium in Nairobi.
“Thanks to coach Muluya for believing in me. That was a good experience,” said Aroko.
“Sharks influenced my move to Sweden; a club scout spotted me during a visit to Kenya last November. After our friendly match at Kenya Utalii College Grounds in Nairobi, we discussed my potential transfer,” he added.
Aroko made his national team debut with the Under-18 Junior Stars in 2023 during the Under-18 Cecafa Championship, where Kenya lost 2-1 to Uganda in the final at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu on December 8, 2023.
Kenya’s Junior Stars’ Humphrey Aroko (right) takes on Tanzania’s Sharif Wilson during their Cecafa Under-18 Championships semi-final match in Kisumu on December 5, 2023.
Photo credit: Pool
Last year, he helped Highway win their maiden Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) football title and was voted the Most Valuable Player.
AIK, based in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, has been a destination for several Kenyan players. Former Sharks midfielder Staley Wilson joined the club last August, while Harambee Stars defender Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma previously played there before moving to Polish champions Raków Częstochowa.
Stars forward Henry Meja signed a five-year deal with AIK in 2021, but is currently on loan at AFC Eskilstuna in Sweden’s third tier. AIK recently extended his loan until the 2025 season.
The Swedish club also signed Collins Sichenje from AFC Leopards in 2022 on a contract until December 31, 2026. However, after just two seasons, Sichenje transferred to FK Vojvodina in Serbia’s Super League on September 13, 2024, after the club activated his buyout clause.
The 2025 Swedish league season is set to kick off on March 29 and run until November, with 16 clubs competing. AIK finished third last season with 54 points, tied with Hammarby IF, but behind champions Malmö FF by 11 points.
