K'Ogalo's coaching role fell vacant following the decision by the club to part ways with Brazilian Leonardo Martins Neiva after only six matches in the Premier League this season. Martins Neiva was appointed at the start of the new season with Otieno being named his assistant alongside Michael Nam.
However, the Brazilian endured a difficult start to the campaign with defeats against Nairobi City Stars and Bandari FC ending his short journey at the Kenyan giants.
Otieno's move to the record Kenyan champions was controversial as he unceremoniously left his role at Sofapaka despite having a one year running contract. He left Batoto ba Mungu having helped them to secure their status in the top-flight on the last days of the last campaign.
Since the departure of Martins Neiva, Otieno has managed to halt K'Ogalo's poor run of results, registering three straight wins and hauling them to fourth position of the 18-team league table. His first match in charge saw Gor Mahia beat Kakamega Homeboyz 2-0.
His second game observed Gor Mahia score two second-half goals to sink promoted side Mara Sugar before he pulled off a comeback to beat FC Talanta 3-2 on Wednesday, December 4th.
'I don't need to prove anything'
The three straight wins have elicited debate among K'Ogalo's faithful with many calling on the club to hand Otieno the vacant role on a permanent basis.
Asked whether he wants the vacant job on a permanent deal, Otieno told Flashscore: “I think that is not a question you need to ask me, I think the office is better placed to answer, they can answer that question.”
On whether he needs to prove something to get the job permanently, Otieno responded: “I am working, working, working…and wait and see what happens next.
"I don’t need to prove any point to anyone, I have coached the national team (Harambee Stars) before, I have coached Gor Mahia before, so what point do I need to prove?
“For us as a team, our objective remains the same, when we joined the team with the former coach Martins Neiva our objective was to make sure that Gor Mahia retains the league title and that objective is still there, we have not lost hope, I am happy for the coach (Neiva) because he made a good foundation and we are building on the foundation he left to achieve our season targets.”
Gor Mahia must be solid and strong
The last league game saw Gor Mahia concede two goals against Talanta, one from the penalty spot. Asked what he plans to do to rectify the leaking defence line, he explained: "It is something we work on every day but we weren't good enough against Talanta.
"I don't need to teach my players how to stop conceding penalties, they only need to concentrate. It was unfortunate because the goals we conceded should have been avoided."
He added: "I have no issues with the referee, it was a penalty, no doubt about that, but my player (who was involved) should have done better to avoid giving it away."
Otieno, who played for Gor Mahia during his heyday and made appearances for the Kenya national team Harambee Stars, including two 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, has so far enjoyed four stints at Gor Mahia.
His first stint was in 2010. At the same time, he was appointed the interim coach of Harambee Stars but he was relieved of his duties with Francis Kimanzi taking charge in 2011. He left briefly and returned to Gor Mahia in 2011 on a full-time basis.
However, at the end of the 2012 Kenyan Premier League season, Otieno left Gor Mahia to handle Sony Sugar. He left the Awendo-based Sony to become a politician and ran for the post of Councillor of Eastlands, Nairobi during the 2013 General elections. However, he took a break and was re-appointed at Sony Sugar, succeeding Sammy Omollo, who had replaced him in 2012.
After leaving Sony, he secured a job at another Premier League outfit Posta Rangers before he made a return to Gor Mahia in 2017 until 2019 when he was fired and left the role.
In June 2019, Otieno was appointed the coach of KCB later Sofapaka. His fourth stint was this season when he was named the assistant of Martins Neiva before he was elevated to the interim role, which he is currently serving.
Gor Mahia are currently lying five points behind table leaders KCB as they have accumulated 17 points from nine matches but they are yet to play three matches. It means if they win their matches at hand, they will assume leadership of the league.
K'Ogalo's next assignment will see them host Bidco United on Saturday, December 7th.
