Michael Olunga has built one of the most successful football careers by a Kenyan player in the modern era. From playing football in Nairobi to becoming a leading striker in the Qatar Stars League, his journey has been marked by goals, consistency, international recognition and a series of important career moves.
As of August 2026, Olunga plays for Al-Arabi SC in Qatar, having joined the club in July 2025 after his contract with Al-Duhail expired. Qatar News Agency reported that Al-Arabi signed the Kenyan striker to strengthen its squad for the new season.
From Kenya to the international stage
Born in Nairobi on March 26, 1994, Olunga developed his football career through Kenyan clubs before making the move to Europe and eventually Asia and the Middle East.
His early senior career included spells with Tusker, Thika United and Gor Mahia. His time at Gor Mahia was particularly important because he became one of the standout strikers in the Kenyan Premier League. He scored 19 league goals during the 2015 season and was named the Kenyan Premier League Player of the Year.
That form opened the door to an international career, with Olunga eventually attracting attention from clubs outside Kenya.
In 2016, he moved to Sweden to join Djurgårdens IF. Although his stay was relatively short, the move represented an important step in his development because it gave him the opportunity to compete in European football.
He later moved to China, joining Guizhou Zhicheng, before getting an opportunity in Spain with Girona on loan. His time in Spain made him one of the few Kenyan footballers to play in La Liga.
His breakthrough in Japan
One of the most important stages of Olunga’s career came in Japan with Kashiwa Reysol.
He joined the Japanese club in 2018 and quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer. His performances became particularly impressive during the 2019 season, when he helped Kashiwa Reysol win the J2 League.
Olunga’s goalscoring ability reached another level in Japan. His performances attracted international attention and eventually led to his move to Qatar.
His career record shows the progression clearly: after his spell in Japan, he moved to Al-Duhail in January 2021.
Success at Al-Duhail
Olunga’s move to Al-Duhail proved to be one of the most successful periods of his career.
The Kenyan striker became an important player for the Qatari club and developed a reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards.
His goals helped Al-Duhail compete for major domestic honours, including the Qatar Stars League, Qatar Cup, Amir Cup and Qatar Stars Cup.
According to Qatar News Agency, Olunga left Al-Duhail as the club’s all-time leading scorer, having scored 130 goals in all competitions during his time there. He also helped the club win five trophies.
That record is significant because it demonstrates how consistent Olunga was during his four-season spell at the club.
Rather than having one outstanding season and then fading away, he maintained a high level of performance over several seasons.
His individual achievements also include becoming the top scorer in the AFC Champions League in 2021, further demonstrating his ability to perform at continental level.
A new chapter at Al-Arabi
In July 2025, Olunga began another chapter of his career when he joined Al-Arabi SC.
The move came after his contract with Al-Duhail ended following the 2024/25 season. Al-Arabi brought in the Kenyan striker as part of efforts to strengthen its attacking options.
The move meant that Olunga remained in Qatar, where he had already established himself as one of the league’s most recognised forwards.
His first season with Al-Arabi has continued to show his importance to the team. FotMob’s current career data lists Olunga with Al-Arabi from June 2025 onward, with six goals recorded in the available league data.
He has also continued to produce important moments for the club. In January 2026, for example, he played a key role as Al-Arabi began the year with a 1-0 victory over Al-Wakrah.
For Olunga, remaining at a high level in Qatar represents another achievement in a career that has already taken him through several footballing cultures.
More than just a goalscorer for Kenya
Olunga’s importance extends beyond club football.
He is the captain of the Kenyan national team, Harambee Stars, and remains one of the country’s most important attacking players. Football Kenya Federation lists him as the team’s captain.
For years, Kenyan supporters have looked to Olunga to provide goals at international level.
He has also been involved in some of Kenya’s biggest recent football moments, including the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
His international career has made him one of the most recognisable Kenyan footballers of his generation.
His role as captain has added another dimension to his career. He is no longer simply expected to score goals; he is also expected to provide leadership to younger players and help guide the national team during major international competitions.
His success goes beyond football
One of the more interesting aspects of Olunga’s story is that his success has not been limited to what he does on the pitch.
He studied Geospatial Engineering at the Technical University of Kenya, earning a bachelor’s degree. His ability to pursue higher education while developing a professional football career has made his story particularly distinctive.
He has also invested in football development in Kenya through the Michael Olunga Football Academy, commonly known as MOFA FC.
According to the organisation’s official profile, Olunga founded MOFA in 2022, with the academy focusing on developing young footballers in Kenya.
This means that his influence extends beyond his own playing career. Through the academy, Olunga is contributing to the development of young players who could potentially follow a similar path into professional football.
A career built on consistency
Olunga’s career is impressive not simply because he has played in several countries, but because he has continued to score goals after every major move.
He has played in Kenya, Sweden, China, Spain, Japan and Qatar. Each move presented a different challenge, from adapting to new footballing styles to competing against unfamiliar opponents.
His time at Kashiwa Reysol demonstrated his ability to succeed in Japan. His period at Al-Duhail showed that he could maintain that success in Qatar. His move to Al-Arabi has now given him an opportunity to begin another chapter while remaining in one of the football environments where he has established himself.
That consistency is arguably one of the biggest reasons his career has been so successful.
The road ahead
At 32, Olunga is entering another important period of his career. His experience is now one of his greatest assets, particularly as he continues to lead Kenya’s national team while competing for Al-Arabi.
His current club, Al-Arabi, represents another opportunity to add to his already impressive collection of goals and achievements.
For Kenyan football, Olunga’s career is also significant because it demonstrates what can happen when local talent receives opportunities to develop and compete internationally.
From his beginnings in Nairobi to becoming Al-Duhail’s all-time leading scorer and moving on to Al-Arabi, his career has developed into one of the strongest stories in Kenyan football.
Michael Olunga’s journey is therefore about more than the number of goals he has scored. It is a story of progression, ambition and consistency.
He has played in different leagues, won trophies, represented Kenya at major international competitions and taken on the responsibility of captaining Harambee Stars.
And as he continues his career with Al-Arabi SC in Qatar, the Kenyan striker still has an opportunity to add more chapters to a football journey that has already made him one of the country’s most successful modern players.
