Who is Nick Kimanthi? The Harambee Stars’ Team Manager and Data Analyst

Kenyan football is evolving rapidly, and one of the key people behind this change is Nick Kimanthi. He is the Team Manager and Lead Data Analyst for Harambee Stars, Kenya’s national football team. Since joining in March 2024, Kimanthi has brought a data-driven approach to the team that helps improve player performance, tactics, and fitness, playing a big role in the team’s recent successes, including their historic run at CHAN 2024.

Key Takeaways:

• Nick Kimanthi is both Team Manager and Lead Data Analyst for Harambee Stars.
• Uses GPS and wearable tech to track player performance in training and matches.
• Holds Masters degrees in Sport Performance Analysis and Sports Management and is pursuing a PhD.
• Provides data insights to guide coaching and tactical decisions.
• Honored on Mashujaa Day 2025 for his contributions to team success.

Early Career and Education

Nick Kimanthi began his professional journey away from football. He worked as an assistant accountant at Scott Christian University in Machakos and later as a senior sales executive at the Co-operative Bank of Kenya.

His big break into sports came in 2018 when he joined Spanish club RCD Espanyol as a commercial and partnership executive, where he secured high-value sponsorships and boosted fan engagement.

Academically, Kimanthi is a solid performer. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Sport Performance Analysis and an MBA in Sports Management. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD focused on enhancing sports performance through predictive analytics.

Qualification	Institution	Focus
MSc in Sport Performance	Middlesex University	Sport Performance Analysis
MBA in Sports Management	-	Sports Management
PhD Candidate	-	Predictive Analytics in Sports

Role and Responsibilities at Harambee Stars

Kimanthi joined Football Kenya Federation (FKF) as Lead Data Analyst in March 2024, then was promoted to Harambee Stars Team Manager in July 2025. He melds operational management with cutting-edge data analytics.

Using GPS trackers and wearable vests, the team collects critical data such as distance covered, speed, player load, and heart rate during matches and training. Kimanthi interprets this data to create detailed reports supporting coaching decisions on fitness, tactics, and injury prevention.

Besides analysis, he manages team logistics including training camps, travel, player documentation, and adherence to CAF/FIFA regulations.

Responsibility	Description
Team Management	Organizes logistics and administration
Data Analysis	Collects and analyzes player performance data
Tactical Support	Guides coaches on fitness and strategy
Compliance	Ensures adherence to governing body rules

Impact on Harambee Stars’ Performance

Kimanthi’s data-guided insights have been crucial in enhancing Harambee Stars’ physical conditioning and tactical awareness. During CHAN 2024, his real-time analysis helped the coaching team optimize player workload and tailor strategies that contributed to Kenya reaching the quarterfinals for the first time.

His reports highlight individual player fitness and stress levels, enabling timely substitutions and preventing injuries, a breakthrough in Kenya’s football preparation methods.

Recognition and Honors

In October 2025, during Mashujaa Day celebrations, Nick Kimanthi was honored by President William Ruto alongside the Harambee Stars players for his pivotal role behind the scenes. This prestigious recognition underlined his status as a key architect of Kenya’s football resurgence.

Award	Date	Reason
Mashujaa Day Award	October 2025	For contributions to Harambee Stars’ performance and innovation in data analytics

Vision for Kenyan Football’s Future

Kimanthi envisions Kenya using advanced data analytics at every level of football to nurture talent and compete on the global stage. His ongoing PhD research focuses on predictive models that anticipate player performance trends and injury risks, aiming to make Kenyan football more scientific and competitive.

Conclusion

Nick Kimanthi stands at the forefront of Kenya’s football revolution. By combining science, technology, and management, he is driving Harambee Stars toward greater achievements. His work exemplifies how off-field innovation is just as important as on-field skill.

Kenyan football fans can celebrate not only the players but also the experts like Kimanthi, whose dedication is helping write a new chapter in Kenyan football history.

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