Kenyan central midfielder Humphrey Mieno may not have matched the dizzying heights of his idol Zinedine Zidane but he has outlasted him in one area – longevity at the top level.
While the Frenchman’s playing career is filled with accolades, including the prestigious Uefa Champions League, Fifa World Cup, and Ballon d’Or, Mieno’s childhood dream of playing in Europe remains unfulfilled.
Yet at 36 years, the towering, former Kenya international continues to feature competitively at the highest level in Kenya. He is now the captain of SportPesa Premier League side KCB.
In contrast, Zidane, whom he admires for his “top-notch technical ability” - hung his boots in 2006 aged 34 years.
Mieno believes he still has more seasons left in him. However, the father of two doesn’t see his playing career stretching beyond the next five years.
“Running with the boys for 90 minutes at the highest level means that I still have the energy to keep going,” Mieno told Nation Sport last week.
“I can’t speculate a lot about when I will retire but I don’t think I will still be playing in the next five years. What has kept me around all this time is discipline and finding balance; time for training, family and rest. My deep passion for football and the desire to learn every day and be better has also been a driving force for me,” he explained.
Since his debut with Mahakama in 2008, he has played for six different Kenyan Premier League clubs over the last two decades making him one of the longest serving players in the competition, if not the longest.
Humphrey Mieno of Mahakama FC celebrates after scoring a goal against KCB during a Kenyan Premier League match at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Over the years, the midfielder has featured for Sofapaka on three different stints, and twice each with Tusker and his current club now KCB.
He has also turned out for Kenyan football giants Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, and defunct Mahakama FC. It means he has separately had 10 club deals in his Kenyan Premiership career.
Nation Sport could not identify a player in the current league who has played for more clubs or signed more contracts than Mieno.
Beyond Kenya’s borders, he featured for Ethiopian giants Saint George Sports Club, Tanzania’s Azam FC on loan, and Tunisia’s Club Africa.
Mieno said the support he has received from his family particularly his wife, friends, coaches and fans has also played a significant role in keeping him going as a professional player.
Gor Mahia Patrice Essombe (left) fights for the ball with Clyde Sanaji and Humprey Mieno (left) of KCB during a SportPesa League match at Dandora Stadium on October 5, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“Sometimes I get frustrated by the challenges we encounter in football but my wife is always there to encourage me not to give up,” said the former Harambee Stars player without revealing her name.
“Some fans have also supported me throughout all the teams I have played for to the extent that I know some of them at a personal level. Every time I move to a new team, they follow and continue to support me, and that has been truly humbling. It motivates me to work harder so that I don’t disappoint them,” said the alumnus of St Brigids Primary School in Starehe, Nairobi.
Admitting that age is catching up with him, Mieno, who started playing football at the age of seven in Nairobi’s Ziwani Estate, revealed that he adjusted his individual training routine three years ago to preserve energy for matches.
Humphrey Mieno (right) dribbles past a sprawling Joshua Oyoo of Chemelil Sugar during a Tusker Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium on July 12, 2015.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Previously, he would train daily for several hours but now, he limits the sessions to about three times a week, with each lasting a maximum two hours.
The individual training focuses on gym work, jogging and sharpening football techniques.
“I now rest a lot unlike before when I was young and very energetic. I still hold the individual training sessions but they are not as intense as before. The durations are also not as long as before,” said the evergreen midfielder.
Four Kenyan Premier League titles
While acknowledging that many Kenyan footballers struggle to maintain a balanced diet due to financial challenges, he explained that he eats food rich in proteins to build strength and shift to those rich in carbohydrates as matches approach to boost his energy.
Mieno has won four Kenyan Premier League titles – three with Tusker and one with Gor. He has also won the FKF Mozzart Bet Cup. Yet it is his double triumph with Tusker in 2016 that he holds most precious.
“I had really wanted to win the league but despite giving my best alongside my teammates, the title always evaded us. For me it was special to finally win the league but what made that season more memorable is the fact that we won a double which is a rare feat,” said Mieno, who pursued his secondary education at Dr Ribeiro Parklands Boys High School in Nairobi.
Sofapaka midfielder Humprey Mieno controls the ball during match against Naivas at Dandora Stadium in Nairobi on July 14, 2024.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
His lowest moment in football was when he was playing for Sofapaka as they battled to avoid relegation in the 2023/24 season.
Mieno said that as a multiple league winner and a respected player in the local scene, it was a difficult moment for him to face the prospect of relegation. It even affected his family with his children urging him to leave the club.
“That was one of the most challenging seasons for me. Even at home it brought problems, there was no joy at home. My children even stopped playing in the estate, they told me to leave the team and join one that is performing well,” he said.
Fortunately, “Batoto ba Mungu” survived after defeating Naivas FC 2-0 on aggregate in the FKF-PL /National Super League play-off.
Tusker midfielder Humphrey Mieno during a Kenyan Premier League Top Eight knock-out match against Gor Mahia at Nyayo National Stadium on June 12, 2016.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Although Mieno never had a specific club in Europe that dreamed of playing for , he always dreamt of playing there with his motivation being to change his life and that of his loved ones.
“That is why I got into football,” said
Mieno said he is satisfied with how his club career has unfolded. However, when it comes to his international career, the veteran midfielder admitted that he is not satisfied as he never managed to establish himself as a regular in the national team.
Revealing that he has retired from international football, the midfielder says it was difficult for him to get regular playing time due to the stiff competition for the position.
He named McDonald Mariga, Jamal Mohamed, Victor Wanyama, Titus Mulama, Osborn Mande, Collins “Gattuso” Okoth and Patrick Osiako as some of the top midfielders who were also playing his position.
Humphrey Mieno (left) of AFC Leopards controls the ball under hot pursuit from Mathare United's Whyvonne Isuza (centre) during a Tusker Premier League at Nyayo National Stadium on July 13, 2014.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Having been part of the Kenyan football for several years, he points out players’ age, techniques, and fan attendance have changed over time. He noted that unlike before, most of the Kenyan clubs are composed of young players while the style of play is more tactical.
Fan turnout in stadiums, he said, has declined.
He singled out infrastructure and management as two key areas that are still holding Kenyan football behind.
“We have not given our football the much needed attention. We don’t have structures, the ones we have are not good enough to help our football grow.”
Sofapaka midfielder Humphrey Mieno (left) tussles for the ball with Maxwell Malaba of Sony Sugar during a Tusker Premier League match at City Stadium in Nairobi on October 27, 2012.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
After retirement, Mieno said he wants to go either in football management or coaching. Already a CAF 'D' License holder, the Kenya School of Professional Studies’ graduate has been coaching children in the estates and academies.
“I aspire to be in a position where I can contribute to the running of our football and bring change. With the experience and knowledge I have gathered over the years, giving back through coaching would be great,” he said, adding that his target is to attain the CAF 'A' License.
Outside football, Mieno said he enjoys meeting new people, traveling, trying different cuisines and exploring fashion. He also farms commercially.
Mieno said he is very spiritual and prays daily and before matches. He turns 37 on September 25 next year. So far so good.
