The remarkable journey of Moses Kagochi, Kenya’s FIH high performance coach
.jpg)
Reading Time: 7min | Thu. 16.10.25. | 11:20
From the dusty pitches of Jamhuri High to the structured training grounds of the Netherlands, Kagochi’s story is one of transformation — of how passion, perseverance, and purpose can carry a Kenyan coach from local school hockey to the pinnacle of global coaching excellence.
When Moses Kagochi walked into Jamhuri High School as a young student, he could never have imagined that his curiosity for a sport he barely understood would one day earn him a seat among the most qualified hockey coaches in the world.
Today, the Kenyan tactician stands tall as an International Hockey Federation (FIH) High Performance Level Five Coach, one of the highest coaching qualifications globally, and an FIH Educator with the FIH Academy and Hockey Farm Sports, currently shaping the game from his base at Hockey Club Delta Venlo in the Netherlands.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
His story is not just about coaching. It’s about passion, persistence, and purpose — a journey that started in the heart of Nairobi and continues to influence hockey development across Africa and beyond.
Kagochi’s introduction to hockey was almost accidental. “I started my hockey when I was in Jamhuri High School,” recalls Kagochi. “In my early years, there were two teams — Karate Axiom and Inter Capital training at the school. Watching them really influenced me.”
.jpg)
At the time, Jamhuri High School was a hockey powerhouse, and the game’s energy quickly drew him in. “I began watching, and I found it interesting. So, I started training with the Jamhuri High School team,” he says.
Growing up, Kagochi was surrounded by vibrant hockey activity. His neighborhood hosted several major clubs — Kenya Breweries, Simba Union, Nairobi Gymkhana, and Nairobi Goan Institute- all within reach.
“We also had Saturday training at City Park Stadium, where young players could learn from the late Peter Akatsa. The tournaments and training sessions at Jamhuri really got me into the vibe of playing and training.”
His playing journey took him through several local setups, including stints with Barclays Hockey Club and Kenya Breweries, where he trained even as a high school student. “It was really nice being part of a club setup while still in school,” he says. “We had a lot of contact time with the sport — playing both for the school and clubs during the week.”
Memorable Moments and Growth
Among his earliest highlights was a friendly match against a team from Germany. “It was really interesting — we played an intense game, and later faced them again under a Nairobi Select team. That experience changed how I saw hockey.”
His growth accelerated when he joined Karate Axiom, coached by Gursharan Lal Singh. “I had more playtime and interacted with senior internationals and experienced players. We played as a team and were very connected socially — it was a fantastic time that shaped not just my hockey, but also my work life.”
After school, Kagochi transitioned into corporate life, working with Sameer Africa. His job took him to Malawi, where a chance encounter reignited his passion for hockey.
“I met Alistair Fredericks, the first player of color to represent South Africa, during a workshop in Malawi. His passion showed me that there’s life after playing — that you can give back to the sport,” explains Kagochi. “That was the spark. I began my coaching journey with him, doing my Level Zero course under his guidance.”
This marked the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. He attended multiple coaching courses in South Africa, expanding his understanding of coaching philosophy and player-centered development. “It opened doors not only in coaching but also in travel, networking, and learning a different way of doing things.”
Return to Kenya and Birth of Hockey Farm Sports
After completing his corporate assignment, Kagochi returned home, determined to contribute to Kenyan hockey. In 2014, he founded Hockey Farm Sports, a development-driven sports company built to nurture coaching and player education.
“With advice from Mr. Fredericks, I started Hockey Farm Sports to help schools and communities learn and play better,” he explains. “I even gave free workshops, especially to schools participating in the school games. I remember traveling by bus to St. John’s Kaloleni to work with players — that gave me the drive to keep giving back.”
Kagochi’s first professional coaching role came at Daystar University. “That’s where I really believed in my philosophy of process-driven coaching,” says Kagochi. “We started from scratch with young players who were willing to learn. Over time, we built a resilient team that competed in both the university and national leagues.”
He continued his education, completing South Africa Hockey Association (SAHA) levels and his FIH Level Two in Namibia. “This gave me a clear understanding of principle-based coaching, with focus on the athlete rather than the coach.”
In 2016, he took over at Kenyatta University, where he achieved remarkable success. “We won tournaments like the University Games and the East African Games. Both the men’s and women’s teams played in the Premier League and competed strongly,” he recalls proudly. “We demanded accountability and built a team based on values — not just skills.”
National Team Experience: Bronze at the Africa Cup
His university success caught national attention. Encouraged by his friend and then national coach Meshack Senge, Kagochi joined the Kenya national team as an assistant coach.
“In 2015, we participated in the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa,” he recalls. “That tournament was a game-changer for me — we won bronze, my first international medal.”
He would later serve in various national team roles until 2022, when he stepped down after the Road to Tokyo campaign to focus on growing his international career.
The Path to the Netherlands
Kagochi’s international development began in Ghana in 2016, during an FIH hockey developer course under the mentorship of Siegfried Aikman and Michel Kinnen. “They inspired me to pursue more knowledge,” he says. “It was scary because it required time, dedication, and finances, but my family supported me.”
He went on to complete multiple FIH courses, including Level Three in Ismailia and various programs in the Netherlands. “My dream was to coach in the Netherlands, where hockey is taken very seriously,” he says.
That dream came true when Aikman invited him to the Netherlands for an educational program, followed by an opportunity facilitated by Oliver Kurtz, a world champion with Germany. “Oliver helped initiate my engagement with Venlo, where three clubs merged to form Hockey Club Delta Venlo. That became my hockey home.”
Coaching abroad has been transformative. “The Dutch hockey culture is unique — it’s a way of life,” explains Kagochi. “Teams train two to three times a week, focusing on technical, tactical, mental, and physical aspects. Every session has intention, and players are taught from a young age to always know the ‘why'."
He contrasts this with Kenya’s setup: “In our country, questioning is often seen as criticism. But here, it’s part of understanding and growth. That’s something we need to embrace to move forward.”
He also praises the Dutch model of player-centered coaching and structured club systems. “Their federation invests heavily in coach education and player development. There’s continuity from youth to senior levels, and everyone speaks the same hockey language.”
In October 2024, Kagochi achieved one of his lifelong goals — earning the FIH High Performance Level Five Coach certification, the highest qualification available to coaches under the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
“For me, it has been a journey of growth and self-understanding,” he says. “It took over two years of research, mentorship, and reflection. Myles Munroe once said that ignorance is the greatest destroyer of mankind, and that message kept me pushing myself.”
He adds, “Being a high-performance coach from Kenya and impacting people in different environments means a lot. It’s proof that no human is limited.”
As an FIH Educator, Kagochi now trains and mentors coaches across Africa. “My role is to help coaches grow in knowledge and development. The more knowledge-based coaches we have, the stronger we become as a hockey community,” he emphasizes.
Through Hockey Farm Sports, he has conducted workshops in Kenya, Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, and Sierra Leone. “It’s my avenue to give back to the sport and to Africa.”
He believes Africa’s biggest challenge is not talent, but infrastructure and knowledge. “We’re not short of resources — we’re short of infrastructure. Coach education is key. With the right knowledge, we can make success out of nothing.”
Kagochi remains passionate about Kenyan hockey’s potential. “Kenya is hugely talented. Our school system provides a perfect platform for growth, but we need better partnerships between the federation and stakeholders,” he notes. “We have to move from an administration-centered to A player-centered culture.”
He strongly believes in the power of sports infrastructure and sports tourism. “We used to host international teams for high-performance training because of our altitude and weather. If we invest in facilities, Kenya can become a hub again,” he says.
Kagochi’s journey is still unfolding. “My dream is to continue learning and growing — to coach and train high-performance teams, maybe even an international team,” he says. “But I also want to help bring Kenya back to the top. If we can recreate what we once had — proper facilities, strong structures, and united purpose — that would be a dream come true.”
From the dusty pitches of Jamhuri High to the structured training grounds of the Netherlands, Kagochi’s story is one of transformation — of how passion, perseverance, and purpose can carry a Kenyan coach from local school hockey to the pinnacle of global coaching excellence.
.jpg)
