Ulinzi Starlets have strengthened their squad ahead of the 2026/2027 Football Kenya Federation Women’s Premier League season with five new signings.
The 2021 FKF Women’s Cup champions have also welcomed back seven players who have completed their military training. The reinforcements are expected to give Ulinzi Starlets greater depth as the military side seeks to finally land the league title after finishing runners-up in the past two seasons.
Midfielders Velma Awuor and Hellen Mito have joined Ulinzi Starlets from Madira Soccer Assassins, while left-back Mejor Mercyline arrives from Mass Queens. Goalkeeper Mercy Akoth and centre-back Ruth Khasoa, both from Vihiga Queens, complete the five new arrivals.
Ulinzi Starlets will welcome back midfielders Lavender Akinyi, Cindy Ngaira, Claire Walunywa, and forward Joy Kinglady from military training.
Ulinzi Starlets captain, Diana Shakava, believes the new players have already shown encouraging signs in training and can make a significant contribution to the team's title ambitions.
“The new players have settled in well and they are showing a lot of promise in training. Their arrival has brought competition for places, which is good for the team,” Shakava said.
Head coach Collins Ochieng believes the changes will address some of the weaknesses that affected Ulinzi Starlets last season.
“We had areas that needed strengthening last season. The new players, together with those returning from military training, have given us more options and depth,” Ochieng said.
Challenge for major honours
The strengthening of the squad comes as Ulinzi Starlets seek to bridge the gap between themselves and Kenya Police Bullets, who have emerged as the dominant force in the women's top flight in recent seasons.
Ulinzi Starlets finished second in the 2024/25 campaign, collecting 44 points from 21 matches, two points behind champions Kenya Police Bullets. They repeated the feat in the 2025/26 season, finishing with 47 points, five behind the champions.
The consistent finishes have established Ulinzi Starlets as one of the country's leading women's clubs, but the league crown remains conspicuously absent from their trophy cabinet.
Their record in knock-out competitions, however, demonstrates that Ulinzi Starlets have the pedigree to challenge for major honours.
The Soldiers have won the FKF Women's Cup three times in 2021, 2023 and 2024 and have also lifted the Women's Super Cup twice.
The return of the seven players who were away for military training could prove particularly valuable. Their familiarity with the club's system, combined with the arrival of the five new recruits, gives Ochieng a deeper squad from which to select.
It also increases competition for places in a team that has narrowly missed out on the championship in successive campaigns.
With the new season approaching, Ulinzi Starlets are expected to face another stern challenge from Kenya Police Bullets and other established contenders, including Vihiga Queens and Trinity Starlets.
Ulinzi Starlets patron Colonel Joseph Ochieng has reaffirmed the club's commitment to supporting the players as they pursue their biggest ambition yet winning the Women's Premier League title.
For Ulinzi Starlets, the objective is clear.
After coming close in the last two seasons and strengthening a squad that already possesses considerable experience, the Soldiers believe they have the personnel to make another serious assault on the championship.
This time, however, they will be hoping the campaign ends with the trophy they have chased for so long.
