'People Used to Laugh' - Harambee Stars Midfielder Reveals How He Turned Mockery Into a National Team Call-Up

Kenya Police FC midfielder Marvin Nabwire has transformed his career, becoming a key figure for the Harambee Stars and a symbol of resilience in Kenyan football.

However, that was not the case when he began his football journey. Many people doubted his ability to succeed in such a competitive field, especially in Kenya.

When head coach Benni McCarthy recently announced his 24-man squad for upcoming international friendlies, Marvin Nabwire's inclusion stood out.

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His journey from a maligned teenage debutant to one of the nation's most reliable midfielders is a testament to grit, faith, and unwavering self-belief.

The boy who was once jeered off the field now steps onto it as a fan favourite, his presence met with cheers.

"People used to laugh when I said I’d play for Harambee Stars," Marvin Nabwire said as quoted by The Star. "Now, they cheer when I step on the pitch. That’s how life turns, slowly, but surely."

At just 18, Marvin Nabwire's first appearance for AFC Leopards in 2018 was meant to be a dream come true. Instead, it became a trial by fire.

"The fans weren’t exactly thrilled to see a newcomer on the pitch," he recalled. "After just five minutes, they were already gesturing for me to be subbed off. It caught me completely off guard. It shocked me because I didn’t expect it."

Despite the hostile reception, both Marvin Nabwire and the coaching staff held their nerve. That difficult day marked a turning point, setting the young player on a long, patient path to maturity.

Born in Kakamega and raised in the bustling Kawangware area, his football education took place not in pristine academies but on the rough, earthen pitches where passion was the only prerequisite.

"I started playing football when I was five years old," he said. "My first team was Vapor Sports Ministry. That’s where I learned discipline, and how faith and football can walk together."

Now 24, the 5'11 midfielder commands the centre of the park with a blend of physical strength and tactical intelligence.

His performance at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) was a masterclass in control. Marvin Nabwire was the silent conductor of Kenya's rhythm, with precisely timed tackles and poetic passes. He was the heartbeat of a Harambee Stars team that reached the quarter-finals, their best showing in years.

"Every game reminded me that pain has its purpose," he reflects. "I played like a man who had something to prove, not to others, but to myself."

Unlike many of his peers, Nabwire's focus was always on the pitch rather than the classroom. After scoring 285 marks in his KCPE and earning a C+ in KCSE, he knew his true calling was football.

"I liked CRE because it spoke to the soul," he added. "Math and physics? Those were battles I never won."

Today, Nabwire carries himself with a quiet confidence forged by overcoming self-doubt, noting that wearing the national jersey is an honour beyond words.