At first, Kiyohide served Ikeda Katsumasa, who was from a powerful clan in Settsu Province.

In 1571, Kiyohide and Murashige killed Wada Koremasa a senior retainer of Ashikaga Shogunate at Battle of Shiraigawara.

After Murashige has been defeated, Kiyohide took part in various battles under Niwa Nagashige and Ikeda Tsuneoki.

[2] In 1583, he was the second vanguard of Hideyoshi's force at the Battle of Shizugatake, and held Oiwayama-fort (Oiwayama-toride, 大岩山砦) with Takayama Ukon and Miyoshi Hidetsugu.

His second son, Nakagawa Hidenari, became the first leader of the Oka clan at Bungo Province afterwards.