Table of Contents
- Taiwo Atieno, a former striker for Harambee Stars is battling multiple assault charges in a UK court
- His ex-lover Keisha Buchanan took him to court, claiming the former Kenyan footballer had assaulted her in the past
- He appeared before Harrow Crown Court in Southwark via a video link on June 5 to answer to assault charges
Taiwo Atieno, a former striker for Harambee Stars is battling multiple assault charges in a UK court.
His ex-lover Keisha Buchanan took him to court, claiming the former Kenyan footballer had assaulted her in the past when they were together.
He appeared before Harrow Crown Court in Southwark via a video link on June 5 to answer to assault charges on his ex-girlfriend on diverse dates between January 2012 and January 2015.
Atieno was at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, donned in a suit closely following court proceedings.
He dated Buchanan for over seven years, but their relationship was rocky behind closed doors, according to court documents.
Buchanan was one of the three singers under the name Sugababes.
The trio – Siobhan Donaghy, Buchanan and Mutya Buena – formed the group in 1998 and released top-selling pop and R&B albums such as ‘Angels with Dirty Faces.’
Retired footballer Taiwo Atieno. Photo/Sky SPorts
Taiwo Atieno Assault Charges in the UK
Buchanan, in court papers, stated that her relationship with Atieno got rocky from 2012 until 2018.
She claimed that she endured assault for three years until 2015. Atieno caused bodily harm to her from 2012 to 2015 and never seemed to care about his actions.
In December 2015, the assault mutated to coercion and controlling behaviour that affected her mental wellbeing. Buchanan, 40, explained that Taiwo Atieno became a control freak for another three years, leaving her in a mentally disturbed state.
Atieno, 39, controlled her finances and social life. She would only take a shower or go to the gym when he allowed it.
He chose who she would talk to, when, where and how. She was also barred from wearing her favourite red lipstick, according to Sky News.
The retired Kenyan footballer would get so irked if Buchanan did anything contrary to his orders, often ending in assault.
Other Charges
The ex-Kenyan footballer is also facing an additional six charges for breaching a non-molestation order issued by the court before.
He allegedly breached the order on two separate occasions in July 2024. He reportedly sent confidential information about Buchanan to a third party who posted it online on July 18 and July 20, 2024.
In addition, Taiwo Atieno breached the order by directly emailing Buchanan thrice on diverse dates between August 2, 2024 and December 23, 2024.
Atieno, who previously served as the Commercial Director of the Kenyan Premier League Ltd, was released on conditional bail.
The court ordered him not to contact Buchanan, not to enter the Barnet district, and to hand over his passport.
His lawyer, Julian Malins KC, told the court that Atieno was fully aware of the bail conditions and committed to complying with them.
Taiwo Atieno Football Career
Retired footballer Taiwo Atieno. Photo/Sky SPorts
Taiwo Atieno, born on August 6, 1985, started his football journey in England with Walsall FC, rising through the youth ranks before going pro in 2004.
Over the years, he played for several clubs, including Rochdale, Chester City, Kidderminster Harriers, Tamworth, and Darlington.
He later moved to the U.S., where he joined the Puerto Rico Islanders. Between 2009 and 2012, Atieno proudly represented Kenya on the international stage with Harambee Stars.
He eventually hung up his boots in February 2013 after a spell with Barnet FC. Since stepping away from football, he’s focused on business and community work, channelling his experience into projects beyond the pitch.
