Hansel Ochieng' may be sharing his first name with a German fairy tale – Hansel and Gretel – but on the football pitch, the APS Bomet forward writes memorable stories with his incredible performances, particularly against Gor Mahia.
K’Ogalo are record 21-time champions of Kenya, but Ochieng’, who was born in Nairobi’s Kaloleni estate, haunts their recent history.
On Tuesday afternoon at the Nyayo National Stadium, Ochieng’ landed on Gor Mahia like a falling asteroid, scoring two goals to top the league’s scorers chart with five.
The prolific striker spread the cheer to his teammates by providing two assists in a memorable 4-1 away victory for the league debutants.
Such a performance has been standard practice for the Bomet man whenever he plays against Gor. He has now scored five goals against the record champions.
Speaking after the match, Ochieng’ described playing against Gor Mahia as “a good fixture for me”.
“Scoring against Gor Mahia is nothing new to me,” he said.
Yet, he still had the presence of mind to appreciate that what is routine for him is extraordinary for his teammates, most of whom, as Ochieng’s coach – Benedict Wanjala – later told the media, “are new to top flight football and were playing against Gor Mahia for the first time.”
Hansel Ochieng' of APS Bomet celebrates one of his goals against Gor Mahia in their FKF Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi on November 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“This is a good win for us and a good game for us to put a statement out there,” said Ochieng’.
“It is a good feeling and I just have to keep scoring as much as I can. It has been a long time coming. I have tried to get here in the past but something kept getting in the way of that. I pray I maintain the focus and get to where I want to be,” added Ochieng.’
Funny enough, Ochieng’ joined APS Bomet from Nairobi City Stars after Michael Nam – whom Gor Mahia had sacked as their assistant coach in June – signed him. Ochieng’s’ league tally this season could have been six had his goal-bound effort not been deflected into the net by teammate Philip Wasai.
“I cannot pick a favourite goal. All of them are special because I scored them when my team really needed them,” Ochieng’ said of his strikes against Gor.
His first goal against Gor Mahia came while turning out for Nzoia Sugar in a 2-1 loss on April 1, 2019.
He was the ultimate trickster when the two teams met again on May 15, 2019, as his free kick goal delivered a 1-0 win.
The other goal came exactly six years later during the 2024/25 FKF Premier League season. He scored City Stars’ first goal in their shock 2-1 victory against the Kenyan giants.
That win, in fact, dented Gor Mahia’s title hopes, allowing Kenya Police to cruise to their maiden league title.
Before that, Ochieng’ had endured a long lay-off after sustaining injuries in a road accident in December 2022.
“That is the worst position any footballer can be in,” Ochieng’ said.
Christopher Ochieng' (left) of Gor Mahia tussles for the ball with Lawrence Kibet of APS Bomet in an FKF Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi on November 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“I fractured my ribs and my leg was badly damaged. It set me back but fortunately I had good people around me.
“My inner circle of friends and family kept me going through recovery. It was traumatising but I kept praying and believing and slowly, I started to come back and now I feel like I am at my peak again,” he added.
Ochieng’ was a Sofapaka player at the time. He joined Rainbow FC after his recovery and later transferred to Kakamega Homeboyz before moving to Nairobi City Stars.
Before featuring for Sofapaka, Ochieng’ had moved from Nzoia Sugar in 2019 to AFC Leopards, where he spent two seasons.
AFC Leopards are Gor Mahia’s bitter rivals and Ochieng’ revealed that Ingwe fans have been calling and texting him to congratulate him on his performance on Tuesday.
“Some are even asking if I can return to the club,” Ochieng’ said.
Ochieng’s goal for Nairobi City Stars against Gor Mahia in May did little to save the club from relegation.
“We fell short in our last game of the season,” Ochieng’ said with regret.
Following their relegation, Nairobi City Stars were left to face an uncertain future after their sponsor withdrew support. This forced Ochieng’ to look for another team.
Then APS Bomet – another club which has high reverence for the lion – came calling. APS Bomet’s motto is “ng’etundo ko agenge”, Kalenjin for “there is only one lion”.
George Amonoo (left) of Gor Mahia tussles for the ball with Evans Mwangi of APS Bomet in an FKF Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi on November 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Equally, Ochieng’ admires what the lion represents. He has a tattoo of a lion’s head on his back, which he said reminds him to be “brave, tough, strong, and resilient”.
“The lion is known for its fighting spirit,” he said, expressing hope that he and APS Bomet will lift themselves off the relegation zone and finish the season strongly. The club is placed 17th with eight points in the 18-team league.
Ochieng’ has other tattoos on his arms and legs. Some are dedicated to family members he described as “special”. “I like to speak of my life journey through art,” he said of his tattoos.
